Elon Musk has firmly dismissed recent speculation surrounding his potential exit as CEO of Tesla , stating during a public appearance in Doha on Tuesday that he intends to continue leading the electric vehicle giant for “at least five years — unless I die.” The remark, delivered with characteristic bluntness, directly addresses weeks of reports and analyst speculation that the Tesla board may be seeking a successor due to concerns over Musk’s divided focus and the company’s recent financial performance.
The announcement, reported by Reuters, comes amid increasing scrutiny of Musk’s ability to juggle multiple high-stakes roles, including his controversial appointment to a government-affiliated initiative known as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). As Tesla navigates mounting investor anxiety, Musk’s latest statement seeks to reinforce confidence in his long-term leadership and strategic direction for the company.
Elon Musk’s Tesla future in question amid CEO search reports
The speculation surrounding Elon Musk’s future at Tesla began gaining traction in late April 2025, when reports surfaced indicating that Tesla’s board of directors had initiated a quiet search for a new CEO. According to articles published by The Wall Street Journal and CNN on May 1, several executive search firms were contacted by Tesla board members as early as March. Sources cited in the reports expressed concerns about Musk’s growing portfolio of responsibilities, particularly his involvement with DOGE, and questioned his ability to prioritize Tesla amid declining financial performance.
As per reports, Tesla reported lackluster Q1 2025 earnings, with falling profit margins, weakening demand in key markets such as Europe, and intensifying competition from Chinese automakers. These developments, combined with Musk’s increasing involvement in external ventures including SpaceX, Neuralink, X (formerly Twitter), and DOGE, fueled speculation that the board may be preparing for a leadership transition.
Elon Musk slams Tesla CEO exit rumours as ‘deliberately false’
In response to the reports, Elon Musk issued a strong rebuttal, labeling the coverage by The Wall Street Journal as “deliberately false” and accusing the outlet of engaging in “an ethical breach.” He dismissed the idea of stepping down and reaffirmed his commitment to the company’s long-term goals.
Tesla Chair Robyn Denholm echoed Musk’s stance in a formal statement, calling the speculation “absolutely false” and emphasizing that the board maintains full confidence in Musk’s leadership. Denholm credited Musk with building Tesla into a global leader in electric mobility and reiterated that his continued involvement is essential to the company’s innovation strategy and growth trajectory.
Despite these denials, the initial reports had a noticeable impact on Tesla’s stock performance, leading to a temporary decline as investors weighed the implications of a potential leadership change.
Elon Musk says he’ll stay Tesla CEO ‘unless I die’
During a live discussion at an economic forum in Doha, Musk directly addressed the ongoing rumors and emphasized that he has no intention of stepping away from Tesla. “I plan to stay as CEO for at least the next five years, unless I die,” he said, adding, “There are people buying Teslas because Elon is crazy.”
Musk’s tongue-in-cheek remark highlighted his awareness of the brand’s deep association with his personal image. Analysts have long noted that Musk’s identity is inseparable from Tesla’s public perception and investor appeal, making any discussion of leadership change particularly consequential.
He went on to note that Tesla had “already turned around” from its recent slump, singling out Europe as the company’s most challenging market while asserting strong performance in other global regions. Musk also emphasized that maintaining “reasonable control” of Tesla — which many interpret as retaining significant influence over major strategic decisions — is a critical factor in his decision to remain CEO.
Elon Musk balances Tesla leadership with controversial DOGE role
Much of the speculation about Musk’s departure from Tesla has been fueled by his increasing role in the US government through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a controversial agency created to streamline federal operations using private-sector leadership and AI technology.
Musk’s dual role as a public-sector advisor and a private-sector executive has sparked concerns about potential conflicts of interest, as well as the time and attention required to fulfill both obligations effectively. Critics argue that his participation in federal programs risks diluting his focus on Tesla during a pivotal moment in the electric vehicle industry.
Musk has repeatedly defended his involvement with DOGE, stating that the initiative aligns with his mission to improve societal systems through technological innovation.
Tesla’s market performance and future outlook
Tesla’s financial performance in early 2025 has not met analyst expectations, according to The Economic Times report. The company reported a 12% year-over-year drop in quarterly revenue and experienced shrinking operating margins amid rising input costs and intensified competition. European sales declined notably, with Tesla struggling to gain ground against Volkswagen, Renault, and several Chinese EV startups.
In response, Musk has promised renewed focus on product innovation, including accelerated timelines for the next-generation Roadster and Robotaxi. He also pointed to increasing demand in Asia-Pacific markets and anticipated stabilization in US consumer interest following recent price adjustments.
Despite short-term challenges, Tesla remains the most valuable automaker globally by market capitalization, and its long-term growth strategy includes continued investment in AI, battery technology, and autonomous driving systems.
Elon Musk: My companies face attacks, I receive personal threats
In a surprising addition to his remarks in Doha, Musk referenced threats of violence and sabotage aimed at his companies, stating, “There are acts of violence committed against my companies and threats against me personally. They are on the wrong side of history.”
While he did not elaborate on the nature or source of these threats, the comment points to an increasingly adversarial environment for high-profile tech executives. In recent years, incidents involving attempted breaches at Tesla facilities and online threats directed at Musk have raised alarm about executive security in the tech sector.
Also read | Elon Musk was a Microsoft intern! He remembers it in conversation with Satya Nadella
The announcement, reported by Reuters, comes amid increasing scrutiny of Musk’s ability to juggle multiple high-stakes roles, including his controversial appointment to a government-affiliated initiative known as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). As Tesla navigates mounting investor anxiety, Musk’s latest statement seeks to reinforce confidence in his long-term leadership and strategic direction for the company.
Elon Musk’s Tesla future in question amid CEO search reports
The speculation surrounding Elon Musk’s future at Tesla began gaining traction in late April 2025, when reports surfaced indicating that Tesla’s board of directors had initiated a quiet search for a new CEO. According to articles published by The Wall Street Journal and CNN on May 1, several executive search firms were contacted by Tesla board members as early as March. Sources cited in the reports expressed concerns about Musk’s growing portfolio of responsibilities, particularly his involvement with DOGE, and questioned his ability to prioritize Tesla amid declining financial performance.
As per reports, Tesla reported lackluster Q1 2025 earnings, with falling profit margins, weakening demand in key markets such as Europe, and intensifying competition from Chinese automakers. These developments, combined with Musk’s increasing involvement in external ventures including SpaceX, Neuralink, X (formerly Twitter), and DOGE, fueled speculation that the board may be preparing for a leadership transition.
Elon Musk slams Tesla CEO exit rumours as ‘deliberately false’
In response to the reports, Elon Musk issued a strong rebuttal, labeling the coverage by The Wall Street Journal as “deliberately false” and accusing the outlet of engaging in “an ethical breach.” He dismissed the idea of stepping down and reaffirmed his commitment to the company’s long-term goals.
Tesla Chair Robyn Denholm echoed Musk’s stance in a formal statement, calling the speculation “absolutely false” and emphasizing that the board maintains full confidence in Musk’s leadership. Denholm credited Musk with building Tesla into a global leader in electric mobility and reiterated that his continued involvement is essential to the company’s innovation strategy and growth trajectory.
Despite these denials, the initial reports had a noticeable impact on Tesla’s stock performance, leading to a temporary decline as investors weighed the implications of a potential leadership change.
Elon Musk says he’ll stay Tesla CEO ‘unless I die’
During a live discussion at an economic forum in Doha, Musk directly addressed the ongoing rumors and emphasized that he has no intention of stepping away from Tesla. “I plan to stay as CEO for at least the next five years, unless I die,” he said, adding, “There are people buying Teslas because Elon is crazy.”
Musk’s tongue-in-cheek remark highlighted his awareness of the brand’s deep association with his personal image. Analysts have long noted that Musk’s identity is inseparable from Tesla’s public perception and investor appeal, making any discussion of leadership change particularly consequential.
He went on to note that Tesla had “already turned around” from its recent slump, singling out Europe as the company’s most challenging market while asserting strong performance in other global regions. Musk also emphasized that maintaining “reasonable control” of Tesla — which many interpret as retaining significant influence over major strategic decisions — is a critical factor in his decision to remain CEO.
Elon Musk balances Tesla leadership with controversial DOGE role
Much of the speculation about Musk’s departure from Tesla has been fueled by his increasing role in the US government through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a controversial agency created to streamline federal operations using private-sector leadership and AI technology.
Musk’s dual role as a public-sector advisor and a private-sector executive has sparked concerns about potential conflicts of interest, as well as the time and attention required to fulfill both obligations effectively. Critics argue that his participation in federal programs risks diluting his focus on Tesla during a pivotal moment in the electric vehicle industry.
Musk has repeatedly defended his involvement with DOGE, stating that the initiative aligns with his mission to improve societal systems through technological innovation.
Tesla’s market performance and future outlook
Tesla’s financial performance in early 2025 has not met analyst expectations, according to The Economic Times report. The company reported a 12% year-over-year drop in quarterly revenue and experienced shrinking operating margins amid rising input costs and intensified competition. European sales declined notably, with Tesla struggling to gain ground against Volkswagen, Renault, and several Chinese EV startups.
In response, Musk has promised renewed focus on product innovation, including accelerated timelines for the next-generation Roadster and Robotaxi. He also pointed to increasing demand in Asia-Pacific markets and anticipated stabilization in US consumer interest following recent price adjustments.
Despite short-term challenges, Tesla remains the most valuable automaker globally by market capitalization, and its long-term growth strategy includes continued investment in AI, battery technology, and autonomous driving systems.
Elon Musk: My companies face attacks, I receive personal threats
In a surprising addition to his remarks in Doha, Musk referenced threats of violence and sabotage aimed at his companies, stating, “There are acts of violence committed against my companies and threats against me personally. They are on the wrong side of history.”
While he did not elaborate on the nature or source of these threats, the comment points to an increasingly adversarial environment for high-profile tech executives. In recent years, incidents involving attempted breaches at Tesla facilities and online threats directed at Musk have raised alarm about executive security in the tech sector.
Also read | Elon Musk was a Microsoft intern! He remembers it in conversation with Satya Nadella
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