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ELON MUSK SAYS HE WILL GIVE WIKIPEDIA $1 BILLION IF IT AGREES TO RUDE NAME
CHANGE

Olivia Burke
 * 
 * 
 * 
 * 

Published 19:37, 23 October 2023 BST
| Last updated 19:36, 23 October 2023 BST

Featured Image Credit: Chesnot/Getty Images/KAREN BLEIER/AFP via Getty Images

Billionaire Elon Musk has offered to give Wikipedia a significant chunk of
change - if it agrees to his eyebrow-raising demand.

The Space X founder declared he would give the free online encyclopaedia $1
billion if it agrees to change its name.

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But believe it or not, he doesn't want to swap its moniker to Muskipedia - it's
something much more ridiculous.

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As you may have noticed, Wikipedia is constantly looking from donations from
readers to keep the website afloat.

When you're looking up your favourite celebrity or browsing the history of the
Cold War, there's no doubt that you have been interrupted by a plea for cash.

The site is run by a team of hard-working volunteers, who help fact-check and
keep the site up to date, among other things.

The world's richest man offered to pay Wikipedia $1 billion to change its name.
Credit: Chesnot/Getty Images
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They even rigorously translate articles into different languages so the pages
are accessible to readers across the globe.

But no matter where you live, you are probably greeted by a message asking for a
few quid when you click on Wikipedia.

It typically calls on users to donate some money to make sure the site can keep
'thriving for years to come', or some similar fundraising jargon.

Musk has now decided to make the encyclopaedia a 'stiff and firm' offer to
hopefully get rid of the constant appeals for cash.

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The world's richest man promised to reach his hand into his pockets if the
company complys with his quite frankly childish request.

Wikipedia regularly asks users to donate cash to keep the free online
encyclopaedia going. Credit: KAREN BLEIER/AFP via Getty Images

In a tweet, he wrote: "I will give them a billion dollars if they change their
name to D**kipedia."

Before he promised to get out his cheque book, he had shared a screenshot of a
'personal appeal' from Wikipedia's co-founder Jimmy Wales asking for donations.

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The tech tycoon posted the image alongside a snooze emoji, suggesting he is
tired of his reading being interrupted.



He also shared a number of posts on X, formerly known as Twitter, questioning
why Wikipedia was always looking for financial support.

Musk asked: "Have you ever wondered why the Wikimedia Foundation wants so much
money?

"It certainly isn’t needed to operate Wikipedia. You can literally fit a copy of
the entire text on your phone!

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"So, what’s the money for? Inquiring minds want to know..."

It turns out his burning question has actually already been answered, which a
quick Google search would have told him.

Wikimedia spokesperson Samantha Lien previously told The Washington Post: "Based
on guidance from the Wikimedia Foundation Board of Trustees, our reserve amounts
to one year of operating budget.

“If there were circumstances that affected our ability to raise those funds
during that period, we could end up in an urgent situation — the reserve is a
safety net to protect Wikipedia against such a possibility.”

In other words, Wikipedia wants to have a decent amount of cash on standby
incase its financial well suddenly runs dry.

Seen as though it's one of the few websites on the internet that's ad-free, it
needs to make money somehow.

I for one would be sad to see Wikipedia go. Where else am I going to double
check what year the Spice Girls split?

Topics: Technology, Elon Musk, Money, News


Olivia Burke
More like this
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 * Elon Musk Says He'll Set Up A University With A Very Rude Name
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 * Anonymous Issues Warning To Elon Musk Over Cryptocurrency Tweets

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