July 19, 2018, 02:32 PM 
On July 18, Tesla CEO Elon Musk apologised to British diver Vernon Unsworth.
This was after the billionaire called Unsworth a "pedo guy" on Twitter on July 15.
However, Musk's apology came almost as an afterthought in a second tweet -- after Musk justified the building of the submarine to supposedly aid in the Thai cave rescue.
As this well-written article suggests, my words were spoken in anger after Mr. Unsworth said several untruths & suggested I engage in a sexual act with the mini-sub, which had been built as an act of kindness & according to specifications from the dive team leader.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 18, 2018
Nonetheless, his actions against me do not justify my actions against him, and for that I apologize to Mr. Unsworth and to the companies I represent as leader. The fault is mine and mine alone.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 18, 2018
Most publications have reported on Musk's apology, but not the context of it.
What was the issue
Musk's "pedo guy" comment against the diver was in response to Unsworth's dismissal of Musk's submarine as a "PR stunt", and that he should “stick his submarine where it hurts”.
Unsworth is the diver who pinpointed the estimated location of the Wild Boars within the Tham Luang cave complex.
Subsequently, in response to Musk's "pedo guy" comment, Unsworth replied that he was looking to suing Musk for calling him a "paedophile".
Thai Cave Rescue: British diver Vern Unsworth has told 7 News' @MyleeHogan that he's considering legal action after being referred to as 'pedo guy' by @elonmusk. "It's not finished...I believe he's called me a 'paedophile'...I think people realise what sort of guy he is." #7News pic.twitter.com/jzVUAtraun
— 7NEWS Sydney (@7NewsSydney) July 16, 2018
Musk defended himself before apologising
It is important to note that prior to his apology tweet, Musk had sent out one tweet defending his intentions and criticising Unsworth for taking issue with his submarine.
As this well-written article suggests, my words were spoken in anger after Mr. Unsworth said several untruths & suggested I engage in a sexual act with the mini-sub, which had been built as an act of kindness & according to specifications from the dive team leader.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 18, 2018
Musk stated that "Unsworth said several untruths & suggested I engage in a sexual act with the mini-sub, which had been built as an act of kindness".
This means that in his subsequent apology, the line "his actions against me do not my justify my actions against him" simultaneously assumes responsibility for his "pedo" comment, while defending the original issue that caused the ruckus in the first place -- the submarine.
Accordingly, the "fault" Musk mentions at the end of his apology tweet is for the comment rather than the plan.
Tesla shares fell in wake of Unsworth's reply
In the wake of Unsworth's response that he was looking at suing Musk, Tesla shares fell 3.5 percent in late-morning trading on July 16, at US$307.82.
Previously, Tesla's shares had taken a hit in May when Musk refused to answer questions from Wall Street analysts on Tesla’s capital requirements, saying “boring, bonehead questions are not cool".
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Some analysts subsequently questioned Tesla's ability to raise capital.
Musk eventually tweeted that it had been unwise of him to do so.
True. And once they were on the call, I should have answered their questions live. It was foolish of me to ignore them.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 4, 2018
Top Image from Elon Musk Quotes & News
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