Elon Musk is vehemently denying reports that the board of Tesla, his electric car company, is actively seeking a new CEO to take his place.
The SpaceX founder and special adviser to President Donald Trump took to social media to counter exclusive claims made by The Wall Street Journal. The article suggested that Tesla, facing a decline in stock prices and investor concerns, had initiated a search for Musk’s successor.
Robyn Denholm Clarifies
Following the Journal’s report, Robyn Denholm, chair of Tesla’s board, refuted the claims, labeling them as ‘absolutely false.’ Musk also criticized the Journal for not verifying with Tesla before publishing the story.
Musk, expressing his frustration, accused the Journal of unethical journalism practices by publishing misleading information without seeking official statements from Tesla.
Amidst a challenging financial period for Tesla, with declining sales and revenues in the first quarter of 2025, the company faces additional pressures due to trade tariffs and Musk’s temporary absence as he focuses on government initiatives.
Tesla’s Board Actions
The Journal’s article mentioned Tesla’s engagement with a prominent search firm but left the status of the alleged CEO search unclear. Updates to the article highlighted Tesla’s silence on the matter before publication.
In a recent investor call, Musk reassured stakeholders of his continued commitment to Tesla, prioritizing the company over other endeavors. With two decades of leadership at Tesla, Musk remains a pivotal figure in the business world.
Despite challenges like reduced earnings and supply chain disruptions, Tesla has faced public scrutiny and protests, particularly related to Musk’s involvement with other ventures.
Denholm’s Support
Denholm publicly endorsed Musk, affirming the board’s confidence in his leadership and the company’s growth trajectory.
