Elon Musk's $1 billion offer to Wikipedia for a name change to D*ckipedia

After a user suggested Wikipedia rename itself, Musk responded, "You can revert after a year." A humorous exchange ensued

By  Annesha Barua October 23rd 2023 12:11 PM -- Updated: October 23rd 2023 12:18 PM

PTC News Desk: Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur known for his involvement in companies like SpaceX and Tesla, has recently made an unconventional offer to the online encyclopedia, Wikipedia. Musk has proposed to donate a staggering $1 billion to Wikipedia if they agree to change their name to "Dickipedia," citing his desire for accuracy.

This unexpected announcement came in a tweet from Musk, who has been increasingly active on the social media platform since his takeover of Twitter (renamed X). In his tweet, he wrote, "I will give them a billion dollars if they change their name to Dickipedia." He further stated that he's making this proposition "in the interests of accuracy."


In response to Musk's proposal, a Twitter user encouraged Wikipedia to accept the offer, suggesting they could revert to their original name after collecting the billion-dollar donation. Musk, with his characteristic wit, replied, "One year minimum. I mean, I'm not a fool lol."

As the conversation unfolded, Musk shared a screenshot of Wikipedia's homepage, which contained the messages "Wikipedia is not for sale" and "a personal appeal from Jimmy Wales." He questioned why the Wikimedia Foundation sought such substantial funding, implying that it far exceeded what was required for the operation of Wikipedia, given that the entire text could fit on a mobile phone.

Musk also took the opportunity to make a somewhat humorous request on his Wikipedia page, inquiring if a cow and a poop emoji could be added.

Musk's tweet garnered significant attention, accumulating 9.9 million views and over a hundred thousand likes. Some Twitter users expressed skepticism about Wikipedia potentially coming to collect donations, while others found the situation reminiscent of a "cage match challenge."

Musk's proposal did not escape critique, with some users playfully remarking on his willingness to donate only if the institution renamed itself after him. The debate sparked various responses from netizens, revealing the diverse reactions to Musk's offer.


This interaction with Musk and Wikipedia is not the first time the billionaire has made headlines in relation to the platform. In the past, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales criticized Musk for censoring critics of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey, leading to a temporary restriction on Twitter access. In response, Wales emphasized Wikipedia's commitment to freedom of expression and standing strong for its principles.

Musk's unorthodox proposition has certainly generated attention and discussion, highlighting the complex intersection of wealth, technology, and online platforms.

Also Read: Operation Ajay: Sixth flight with 143 passengers lands in New Delhi

Related Post