It probably didn’t go unnoticed that Icelandic entrepreneur Haraldur Ingi Þorleifsson got into a heated argument with Elon Musk, the owner of Twitter and the world’s richest man, on the popular social network.
In short, it started when Haraldur asked for information on whether he had been fired from Twitter or not, but it reached Musk’s ears, who mocked Haraldur’s job description, and then the accused of not being arrested while working at Twitter and mocked him, among other things, that he was hiding behind his physical disability.
The case has garnered enormous attention on Twitter and in major media around the world. With the eyes of the rest of the world on him, Haraldur took action and penned a heartfelt letter to Musk on social media, where he fired some solid shots at the mogul. Among other things, that unlike him, the mining crown prince, Haraldur enriched himself and that, unlike Musk, he took care of his children.
Here is Harald’s message in full
Hi Elon Musk.
I hope you’re well. At least I’m fine. Thank you for your interest in my health. But since you’re making it a topic of discussion, I’d like to give you more detailed information. I struggle with muscular dystrophy which affects my body in many ways.
The legs were the first thing to give. At 25, I started using a wheelchair. It’s been 20 years since that happened. During this time, other parts of my body also began to give way. I need help getting in and out of bed and using the toilet.
For a long time I thought my hands would hold my strength, because a doctor told me they would. But in the end I lost the power in them. It was, and I’m not afraid to share it, difficult to face. But you try to make the best of things and I managed to create a wonderful life for myself.
My family is wonderful. I have two wonderful children that I spend time with every day. I recommand it. My wife is great. Strong, sweet, smart and an amazing performer. I couldn’t be happier with her.
Nine years ago, I started a company called Ueno. I worked out a lot, which wasn’t good for my body, but I felt like I had to. I have reaped the rewards of my hard work and the business has become extremely successful.
We’ve worked for more or less every major tech company in the world. We grew quickly and made money. I think you exaggerated when you said I was a rich person. I made a fortune as a private individual, without having, for example, inherited a mine full of precious stones.
But after seven years of work, I was tired. Covid lasted longer than the two weeks you said the pandemic would take. My body continued to deteriorate and after considering many options I decided to sell the company to Twitter.
Financially, it was not the best decision. My business was making huge profits and Twitter’s offer was below all reasonable valuations suggested. But like you, I was convinced there were forces on Twitter that hadn’t been unleashed.
I joined Twitter when the company was growing rapidly, which was really the opposite of you. There was a lot going on, but of course the company was struggling with various issues, like most large companies. Even like most small businesses, what Twitter has really become today.
Are you still reading this? Or did you end up in the bathroom? What I was saying Yes, that’s right, you came and bought the company and told the employees that 75% of them wouldn’t be fired. Which you did now anyway.
I was not fired in the first round. Nor two, three and four. I do not even know in which series I was fired so there were. All came after you promised the recent was the last.
During my time on Twitter 2.0, when you called the company, I talked to my boss once a week about what to focus on. So I did what he wanted, every step of the way.
I also regularly contacted the human resources department and asked if my job description was correct and if it needed to be updated. I wanted to make sure I was doing what was expected of me. They told me they were going to look into it, but I never got an answer.
And now I finally turn to my fingers, which you seem to care a lot about. Thanks for that otherwise and I’ll share with you what I’ve shared with others. I can’t do physical work, like typing on a keyboard and moving a mouse, for long without my hands hurting.
I can write for 1-2 hours per session. This wasn’t a problem when I worked at Twitter 1.0, as I was a manager and my role was to guide and advise the company’s design team.
But as I told HR (I guess that’s where the confidential information you shared about my health came from), I can’t work as a designer for the above reasons. For example, I’m writing this post on my phone, it’s easier because I only have one finger to use.
Hope this was helpful! Let me know if you’ll pay me what you owe? I think you can afford it?
Hello again @Elon Musk 👋
I hope you’re well.
I’m doing well too. Thank you for your interest in my health.
But since you mentioned it, I wanted to give you more information.
I have muscular dystrophy. It has many effects on my body.
Let me tell you what they are:
— Halli (@iamharaldur) March 7, 2023
