> To my understanding, this at the moment is neither hostile nor a takeover, but a (rather direct/rude/aggressive; pick whatever adjective you want) question to the board to advise shareholders to accept Musk’s offer.
Right, but a board is never going to say yes to this. If he was actually trying to get the board's agreement, the negotiations would have all happened in private and the announcement wouldn't have been made until it was basically a done deal.
I'd assume he wants to make the price shoot up and then when he gets rejected be the first to sell as previously proclaimed making big money in the process.
ie market manipulation.
Right, but a board is never going to say yes to this. If he was actually trying to get the board's agreement, the negotiations would have all happened in private and the announcement wouldn't have been made until it was basically a done deal.