The headline-grabbing billionaire has denied the accusations.
Elon Musk has been accused of sexual misconduct, per a report by Business Insider.
According to the report, Musk allegedly paid a flight attendant $250,000 to settle a sexual misconduct claim that was brought against him in 2018. The incident is said to have taken place in 2016.
Business Insider cites the testimony of an unnamed flight attendant who worked as a member of the cabin crew for SpaceX’s corporate jet fleet. The attendant has accused Musk of exposing his erect penis to her, rubbing her leg without her consent, and offering to buy her a horse in exchange for an “erotic massage”.
Musk, who is currently attempting to finalise his proposed $44 billion takeover of Twitter, took to Twitter on Thursday to deny the allegations.
Journalists from Business Insider stated they made several attempts to speak with Musk on the matter, who reportedly emailed the publication, asking for more time to formulate a response, saying there is “a lot more to this story”.
“If I were inclined to engage in sexual harassment, this is unlikely to be the first time in my entire 30-year career that it comes to light,” said Musk in the email, dismissing the story as a “politically-motivated hit piece”.
According to Business Insider, Musk did not comment further, instead stating publicly that a wave of political-based attacks on his character were imminent.
“Political attacks on me will escalate dramatically in coming months,” he wrote.
Political attacks on me will escalate dramatically in coming months
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 18, 2022
The report cites a friend of the flight attendant, as quoted in legal documents and fresh email correspondence regarding the subject.
Responding to a tweet, Musk said that the “wild accusations are utterly untrue”, adding:
“I have a challenge to this liar who claims their friend saw me ‘exposed’ – describe just one thing, anything at all (scars, tattoos…) that isn’t known by the public. She won’t be able to do so, because it never happened.”
But I have a challenge to this liar who claims their friend saw me “exposed” – describe just one thing, anything at all (scars, tattoos, …) that isn’t known by the public. She won’t be able to do so, because it never happened.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 20, 2022
Replying to a query as to whether he responded to reporters’ requests for comments, he said:
“No, it was clear that their only goal was a hit price [sic] to interfere with the Twitter acquisition. The story was written before they even talked to me.”
No, it was clear that their only goal was a hit price to interfere with the Twitter acquisition. The story was written before they even talked to me.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 20, 2022
“The attacks against me should be viewed through a political lens,” said Musk in a separate tweet. “This is their standard (despicable) playbook but nothing will deter me from fighting for a good future and your right to free speech.”
The attacks against me should be viewed through a political lens – this is their standard (despicable) playbook – but nothing will deter me from fighting for a good future and your right to free speech
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 20, 2022
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