Elon Musk has hit back at The Wall Street Journal after it reported that Tesla’s board is actively working to replace him as CEO.
In a post on X, Musk wrote: “It is an EXTREMELY BAD BREACH OF ETHICS that the @WSJ would publish a DELIBERATELY FALSE ARTICLE and fail to include an unequivocal denial beforehand by the Tesla board of directors!”
The scathing response comes hours after the WSJ claimed that Tesla had approached multiple executive search firms to identify a potential successor, citing sources familiar with internal discussions.
Why the board may be considering a new CEOAccording to the report, Musk’s dual focus on his White House duties and declining Tesla profits triggered the move. Musk currently heads the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under President Donald Trump. His time in Washington, paired with a 71% drop in Tesla’s quarterly profit and waning sales in major markets, reportedly raised concerns within the board.
Tesla board members allegedly asked Musk to return his focus to the company earlier this year. He reassured investors during a recent earnings call, saying: “Starting next month, I’ll be allocating far more of my time to Tesla.”
Trump hints at Musk’s returnTrump himself hinted at Musk stepping away from his federal duties during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday. “You’re invited to stay as long as you want… I guess he wants to get back home to his cars,” the president reportedly said.
Despite Musk being on the Tesla board, it’s unclear whether he was informed of or approved the reported search process.
Politics, profit, and public backlashMusk’s closeness to Trump, including a $250 million campaign donation, has stirred backlash among Tesla employees and customers alike. Tesla’s mission of sustainability has clashed with Trump’s promises to revive oil and gas industries, causing confusion about the company’s direction. Tesla also reported its first annual sales decline in over a decade, while the Cybertruck rollout became an internet punchline.
Memes, mockery, and disbeliefThe WSJ report went viral online, with users sharing memes and sarcastic takes. “Everything Trump touches dies,” one wrote, suggesting Musk may soon be out at Tesla. Others claimed the move had to be orchestrated by Musk himself. “For those dumb enough to think this happens without @elonmusk’s blessing, I have a sh**coin to sell you,” a post read.
