Elon Musk has delivered a definitive "final warning" to Bill Gates, demanding he close his significant short position on Tesla stock Teslarati. This urgent call comes years after Gates directly confirmed to Musk that he held a short against the company.

The conflict stems from Gates' reported $500 million bet against Tesla, a move described as hoping to profit from its failure Teslarati. According to Walter Isaacson's biography of the Tesla CEO, Musk was "super mean" to Gates upon learning of this bet, fueling a persistent rivalry.

A short position allows an investor to profit if a stock's price declines. However, Tesla shares have seen a substantial increase, rising over six percent this year and nearly 150 percent over the past five years Teslarati. This dramatic growth makes Gates' bet increasingly precarious.

Musk's position of strength is further solidified by the recent approval of his massive $1 trillion compensation package by shareholders, with 76.6 percent voting in favor Teslarati. This demonstrates strong investor confidence in his leadership and Tesla's future disruptive projects.

The urgency for Gates to act is now paramount, especially after reports surfaced that the Gates Foundation divested 65 percent of its Microsoft position for nearly $9 billion Teslarati. Musk's message is clear: drop the Tesla short "soon, or else."

While the rivalry is intense, Musk's decision to issue a public warning suggests a potential "soft spot," offering Gates a chance to avoid an unspecified but potentially damaging repercussion. Had Musk truly intended maximum damage, he would have remained silent, making this warning a critical, time-sensitive opportunity for Gates to reassess his position. The clock is ticking on this high-stakes financial standoff.