« I think we can all agree Elon isn’t serious and it’s time to move on, » Zuckerberg wrote on his Threads social platform.
« I offered a real date… Elon won’t confirm a date, then says he needs surgery, and now asks to do a practice round in my backyard instead. »
Musk quickly responded on X, the platform he bought last year that was previously called Twitter.
« Zuck is a chicken, » Musk posted.
The Tesla boss said he would head to Silicon Valley Monday: « Can’t wait to bang on his door tomorrow. »
When an X user suggested Zuckerberg was getting cold feet about the match, Musk referred to a popular US fast food chain known for its chicken offerings.
« He can’t eat at Chick-fil-A because that would be cannibalism, » Musk posted.
The two tech titans have gone back and forth on social media about fighting each other in a much-hyped charity match.
Musk said Friday the fight would take place in Italy, as authorities there confirmed talks about hosting a « great charity event. »
« I spoke to the PM of Italy and Minister of Culture, » Musk wrote, referring to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. « They have agreed on an epic location. »
In response, Zuckerberg posted a photo of himself shirtless and pinning down an opponent in his « backyard octagon. »
A martial arts enthusiast who has taken part in jiujitsu competitions, Zuckerberg said, « I love this sport and I’ve been ready to fight since the day Elon challenged me. »
« If he ever agrees on an actual date, you’ll hear it from me. Until then, please assume anything he says has not been agreed on. »
Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano confirmed speaking to Musk about « how to organize a great charity event evoking history » but said any match « will not be held in Rome. »
Sangiuliano said any event with Musk would raise « a huge sum, many millions of euros, (that) will be donated to two important Italian pediatric hospitals. »
The two tech tycoons, who have occasionally jousted from afar, became direct competitors after Zuckerberg’s Meta launched its Twitter-like Threads platform in early July.
Musk noted on Friday that he may need to undergo « minor surgery » to resolve a « problem with my right shoulder blade rubbing against my ribs. »
« Recovery will only take a few months, » he added.
The world’s richest person has a titanium plate holding two vertebrae together but said Friday it is currently « not an issue. »
