[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, who was encouraged by the $44 billion (approximately 55 trillion KRW) bid to acquire Twitter, made a 'joke' by naming Coca-Cola as a potential acquisition target.
On the 27th (local time), he wrote on his Twitter, "Next, I will buy Coca-Cola and put cocaine back in it." Coca-Cola, launched in 1886, was originally made by mixing caffeine, cocaine extract, and sugar. However, since cocaine was found to be a highly addictive narcotic, it was no longer used from 1903. Musk, who pursued the acquisition of Twitter citing 'freedom of expression,' seems to have made a joke this time by alluding to regulations on narcotic substances.
He had also mentioned acquiring Twitter in the past 'as a joke.' In 2017, while conversing on Twitter with comedian Dave Smith, he wrote "I love Twitter," and when Dave Smith replied, "Then buy it," Musk responded with "How much?"
Bloomberg viewed the Twitter acquisition process as making Coca-Cola appear to be at a level that could be easily purchased as well. Musk's current net worth is estimated at $253 billion, which is more than his 'tycoon' rival Jeff Bezos, Amazon chairman, who has $162 billion.
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