• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Politics

‘Freeloader’ vs ‘Senator Karen’: Elon Musk and Elizabeth Warren go at it again on Twitter

By
Tom Maloney
Tom Maloney
,
Cecile Vannucci
Cecile Vannucci
, and
Bloomberg
Bloomberg
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Tom Maloney
Tom Maloney
,
Cecile Vannucci
Cecile Vannucci
, and
Bloomberg
Bloomberg
Down Arrow Button Icon
December 15, 2021, 4:16 AM ET

Elon Musk is sparring with Senator Elizabeth Warren on Twitter over taxes again. 

After the Massachusetts senator blasted the tax code for being “rigged” and asking to change it “so The Person of the Year will actually pay taxes and stop freeloading off everyone else,” Musk tweeted that he’s contributing more than any other U.S. citizen this year. 

And if you opened your eyes for 2 seconds, you would realize I will pay more taxes than any American in history this year

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 14, 2021

Musk’s tax bill for 2021 could exceed $10 billion if he exercises all his options due to expire next year, according to Bloomberg calculations. While it’s hard to say whether that would be a record, it’s certainly one of the biggest payments.

Since a Twitter poll last month where he asked whether he should sell 10% of his Tesla stake, Musk has exercised almost 15 million options and sold millions of shares to cover the taxes related to the transactions. 

Please don’t call the manager on me, Senator Karen 🙏

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 14, 2021

Musk has previously used Twitter to berate senators Bernie Sanders and Ron Wyden over their support for a tax on billionaires. 

Never miss a story: Follow your favorite topics and authors to get a personalized email with the journalism that matters most to you.

About the Authors
By Tom Maloney
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
By Cecile Vannucci
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
By Bloomberg
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Politics

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Politics

Interest on U.S. debt is becoming a top driver of future deficits, as the sheer size of past borrowing overwhelms the fiscal outlook 
EconomyDebt
Interest on U.S. debt is becoming a top driver of future deficits, as the sheer size of past borrowing overwhelms the fiscal outlook 
By Jason MaMay 2, 2026
2 hours ago
trump
PoliticsWhite House
America’s paying more at the pump. Trump’s new Air Force One jet donated by Qatar is nearly ready
By Jonathan J. Cooper and The Associated PressMay 2, 2026
6 hours ago
Trump flouts lower court rulings in unprecedented display of executive power, and ‘respect for the rule of law is likely to break down’
LawDonald Trump
Trump flouts lower court rulings in unprecedented display of executive power, and ‘respect for the rule of law is likely to break down’
By Sudhin Thanawala and The Associated PressMay 2, 2026
7 hours ago
Pope Leo XIV encourages wealthy U.S. Catholics to keep donating after Papal Foundation approves most grants in its history
PoliticsPope
Pope Leo XIV encourages wealthy U.S. Catholics to keep donating after Papal Foundation approves most grants in its history
By Nicole Winfield and The Associated PressMay 2, 2026
7 hours ago
Federal appeals court blocks mifepristone distribution by mail in biggest jolt to abortion policy since the overturning of Roe v. Wade
Lawabortion
Federal appeals court blocks mifepristone distribution by mail in biggest jolt to abortion policy since the overturning of Roe v. Wade
By Hannah Schoenbaum, Geoff Mulvihll and The Associated PressMay 2, 2026
7 hours ago
Trump picked a fight with the Pope: The one person he can’t fire, can’t outbid, and can’t outlast
PoliticsDonald Trump
Trump picked a fight with the Pope: The one person he can’t fire, can’t outbid, and can’t outlast
By Catherina GioinoMay 2, 2026
11 hours ago

Most Popular

Scott Bessent on financial literacy: 'it drives me crazy' to see young men in blue-collar construction jobs playing the lottery
Personal Finance
Scott Bessent on financial literacy: 'it drives me crazy' to see young men in blue-collar construction jobs playing the lottery
By Fatima Hussein and The Associated PressMay 1, 2026
1 day ago
A Chick-fil-A worker got fired and then showed up behind the register to allegedly refund himself over $80,000 in mac and cheese
Law
A Chick-fil-A worker got fired and then showed up behind the register to allegedly refund himself over $80,000 in mac and cheese
By Catherina GioinoMay 1, 2026
1 day ago
Current price of oil as of May 1, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of May 1, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerMay 1, 2026
1 day ago
China dominates the world's lithium supply. The U.S. just found 328 years' worth in its own backyard
North America
China dominates the world's lithium supply. The U.S. just found 328 years' worth in its own backyard
By Jake AngeloApril 30, 2026
2 days ago
Apple cofounder Ronald Wayne—whose stake would be worth up to $400 billion had he not sold it in 1976—says that at 91, he has no regrets
Success
Apple cofounder Ronald Wayne—whose stake would be worth up to $400 billion had he not sold it in 1976—says that at 91, he has no regrets
By Preston ForeApril 27, 2026
5 days ago
Current price of gold as of May 1, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of gold as of May 1, 2026
By Danny BakstMay 1, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.