I don't think Musk is exactly struggling to maintain a big media profile. This story might keep him in the headlines more but it's hardly making him look good. Rather I'd say it seriously damages his reputation as a serious player. He looks more interested in sounding off on twitter and messing around. Following this mess if he approached you with an offer to buy your business how seriously would you want to take him?

> if he approached you with an offer to buy your business how seriously would you want to take him

Not seriously, HOWEVER, I would now worry about him a lot more as a competitor or enemy as he's shown he's happy to blow what is -- to me -- an unthinkable amount of cash on whimsy and for the lulz.

He can't just choose to pay the $1bn to get out of it. It's basically a fine he'd have to pay if he is unable to complete the deal due to his financing falling through or a couple of other extremely unlikely things.