Tesla CEO Elon Musk has raised concerns about MacKenzie Scott’s charitable donations, sparking fresh discussions about her giving approach and its focus.
Musk reacted to a social media post highlighting Scott’s donations to organizations supporting racial equity, social justice, and LGBTQ+ causes with a single word: “Concerning.” The post, shared by author John LeFevre, detailed Scott’s financial support for progressive initiatives.
MacKenzie Scott, who gained billions in Amazon shares during her divorce from Jeff Bezos in 2019, has become one of the most active philanthropists in the United States. Since 2019, she has donated over $19 billion to more than 2,450 organizations through her initiative, Yield Giving, while her net worth remains above $30 billion due to Amazon’s stock value.
Earlier this year, Musk previously criticized Scott in a now-deleted comment, suggesting that wealthy ex-spouses could negatively impact society. Soon after, Scott announced an additional $640 million in donations to 361 organizations.
Recently, Scott sold 11% of her Amazon shares, worth over $8 billion, shifting her focus toward mission-driven investments rather than traditional portfolio management.
Scott’s 2024 contributions have supported initiatives addressing economic security and systemic inequalities. Her grants include funding for organizations like CAMFED, which helps improve girls’ education in Africa. Despite criticism, Scott continues her efforts to make a positive impact through her philanthropy.
