Technology
Musk defends 'pedo guy' tweet in defamation trial
San Francisco, Dec 4
Multi-billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk made his first courtroom appearance as a defendant in a defamation case brought against him by Vernon Unsworth, a British man over "pedo guy" tweet, said Unsworth had insulted him, so he insulted him back.
"This is a case about insults between two men," said Musk's attorney, Alex Spiro, in his opening statement to the jury in a federal courthouse in Los Angeles on the first day of t
"This is a case about insults between two men," said Musk's attorney, Alex Spiro, in his opening statement to the jury in a federal courthouse in Los Angeles on the first day of t
he trial, BBC reported on Wednesday.
Musk said the "pedo guy" tweet was not meant to be taken literally.
The Tesla co-founder filed a declaration that "pedo guy" is a common insult in South Africa used to insult demeanor and appearances.
He elaborated by saying, "It's quite common in the English speaking world. Calling someone a 'pedo guy' means creepy. If you did a search or asked someone what it means it would be a creepy."
Tesla CEO apologised directly to the cave diver in court, looking directly at him.
"I apologised in a tweet and again in the deposition, and I'll say it again - I apologise to Mr Unsworth," he said.
Meanwhile, Lawyers for Unsworth argued that Musk was using his social media platform to damage the explorer's reputation and paint him as a pedophile.
Last year, twelve boys and their coach were trapped in the Tham Luang cave complex, were rescued after a week-long intense drama.
Musk offered to assist the rescue mission by providing a submarine but the request was turned down on the ground that it would be unworkable.
Unsworth took on Musk in a widely-shared interview, saying the "mini-sub" "just had absolutely no chance of working".
In response, Musk tweeted several things, now-deleted, "Sorry pedo guy, you really did ask for it."
Then, a month later, he called Unsworth a "child rapist" in an email.
Unsworth sued two months later in a Los Angeles federal court, saying Mr Musk falsely branded him a paedophile and child rapist.
Musk said the "pedo guy" tweet was not meant to be taken literally.
The Tesla co-founder filed a declaration that "pedo guy" is a common insult in South Africa used to insult demeanor and appearances.
He elaborated by saying, "It's quite common in the English speaking world. Calling someone a 'pedo guy' means creepy. If you did a search or asked someone what it means it would be a creepy."
Tesla CEO apologised directly to the cave diver in court, looking directly at him.
"I apologised in a tweet and again in the deposition, and I'll say it again - I apologise to Mr Unsworth," he said.
Meanwhile, Lawyers for Unsworth argued that Musk was using his social media platform to damage the explorer's reputation and paint him as a pedophile.
Last year, twelve boys and their coach were trapped in the Tham Luang cave complex, were rescued after a week-long intense drama.
Musk offered to assist the rescue mission by providing a submarine but the request was turned down on the ground that it would be unworkable.
Unsworth took on Musk in a widely-shared interview, saying the "mini-sub" "just had absolutely no chance of working".
In response, Musk tweeted several things, now-deleted, "Sorry pedo guy, you really did ask for it."
Then, a month later, he called Unsworth a "child rapist" in an email.
Unsworth sued two months later in a Los Angeles federal court, saying Mr Musk falsely branded him a paedophile and child rapist.

14 hours ago
Dr. Amit Chakrabarty & Dr. Hetal Gor Assume Charge as President & BOT Chair of AAPI

14 hours ago
Trump says "didn't make any progress at all" with Putin during phone call

14 hours ago
India refutes claims about White House denying Jaishankar's request to meet Trump

16 hours ago
Russia has launched massive aerial attacks on Ukraine: Zelensky

16 hours ago
US House passes Trump's ambitious 'Big Beautiful Bill,' massive legislative win for President

17 hours ago
Trump says no progress in Ukraine conflict, after call with Putin

17 hours ago
2 Indian-origin students selected for internship at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab

17 hours ago
World Malayalee Council moves to new leadership; Dr. Isaac John Pattaniparampil appointed as Global Chairman, Baby Mathew Somatheeram as President.

18 hours ago
Paruchuri Sisters Dream; High on Indian Volleyball

19 hours ago
Amid controversy over Kerala's healthcare, CM Vijayan leaves for treatment in US

20 hours ago
Karnataka HC quashes sexual assault case against Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith

20 hours ago
'Sarzameen' trailer shows a perplexing tale of family, love & patriotism

20 hours ago
Varun Dhawan shares a glimpse from ‘Border 2’ shoot after a ban on Diljit Dosanjh revoked temporarily