Articles tagged with "Elon-Musk"
World’s first half-trillionaire: Elon Musk hits $500 billion fortune
Elon Musk has become the first person in history to reach a net worth of $500 billion, briefly crossing $500.1 billion according to Forbes’ billionaires index. This milestone reflects the rising valuations of his key ventures, notably Tesla, which remains central to his fortune due to his 12% stake. Tesla’s stock performance in 2024, with a yearly gain exceeding 20%, has been critical in boosting Musk’s wealth, despite challenges such as slowing car sales, competition from Chinese EV maker BYD, and profit margin pressures. Musk’s renewed focus on Tesla, underscored by his recent $1 billion share purchase and increased involvement after a period of political engagement, has been positively received by investors. Musk’s wealth lead remains substantial compared to rivals like Oracle founder Larry Ellison, whose net worth stands at $350.7 billion. Ellison briefly surpassed Musk last month due to Oracle’s strong stock performance driven by cloud computing and AI optimism, but Musk quickly regained the
Elon-MuskTeslaelectric-vehiclesartificial-intelligenceroboticsenergytechnology-innovationMusk’s $1B Tesla stock purchase lifts shares after tough first half
Elon Musk made a significant personal investment by purchasing approximately 2.57 million Tesla shares worth nearly $1 billion on September 12, 2025, marking his largest open-market buy since 2020. This move lifted Tesla’s stock by up to 7 percent in pre-market trading and helped the shares recover from a challenging first half of the year, during which Tesla’s vehicle deliveries fell 13 percent globally and its stock had dropped as much as 45 percent. Musk’s purchase, executed through his revocable trust and not a corporate buyback, slightly increased his stake and was seen as a show of confidence ahead of a shareholder vote on a proposed $1 trillion performance-based compensation plan tied to ambitious company milestones. Despite the positive market reaction, Tesla faces ongoing challenges including shrinking market share in the U.S. and Europe, declining shipments from its Shanghai factory, and increased competition in the electric vehicle sector. Tesla Chair Robyn Denholm publicly supported Musk’s leadership, emphasizing his role as
energyTeslaelectric-vehiclesElon-Muskstock-purchaserenewable-energyautomotive-technologyTesla board chair calls debate over Elon Musk’s $1T pay package ‘a little bit weird’
Tesla board chair Robyn Denholm defended the proposed 10-year, $1 trillion compensation package for CEO Elon Musk ahead of a shareholder vote in November. Denholm, who helped assemble the plan, emphasized that the package is designed to motivate Musk through extraordinary challenges tied to extraordinary compensation. She downplayed the focus on the dollar amount, suggesting Musk is more interested in the voting power that comes with the Tesla shares rather than the wealth itself. Denholm stressed that the compensation plan is forward-looking, based strictly on future performance goals, and Musk will receive nothing if those goals are not met. Despite the seemingly massive size of the package, she framed it as a necessary incentive aligned with Tesla’s ambitious future targets. The article also notes some skepticism about the feasibility of Musk’s past promises for Tesla, implying that the compensation plan is tied to achieving new milestones rather than past achievements.
energyTeslaelectric-vehiclesrenewable-energyCEO-compensationcorporate-governanceElon-MuskTesla Board Offers $1 Trillion To Get Musk To Pay Attention To Business - CleanTechnica
The Tesla board of directors has proposed an unprecedented compensation plan for Elon Musk that could make him the first person to earn $1 trillion from a single company. The plan, detailed in a recent SEC filing, ties Musk’s payout to achieving 12 market capitalization milestones—culminating in a company valuation of $8.5 trillion within ten years—and 12 operational goals, including selling 20 million vehicles and delivering one million Optimus robots. To qualify for the shares, Musk must remain at Tesla in a senior executive role, though he does not have to be CEO, allowing him flexibility to pursue his other ventures such as SpaceX, xAI, Neuralink, and the Boring Company. This compensation package follows controversy over Musk’s previous 2018 deal, which a Delaware judge ruled excessive and harmful to shareholders. Tesla recently amended its bylaws to prevent minority shareholders (those owning less than 3%) from suing over matters like executive pay, effectively limiting challenges to Musk’s compensation. The
robotenergyTeslaElon-Muskautonomous-vehicleselectric-vehiclescorporate-governanceIs Tesla's Robot Manifesto Simply An Investment Hail Mary? - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica examines Tesla's current strategic direction in light of its recently published fourth "Master Plan," questioning whether Elon Musk's focus on robotics represents a desperate investment move amid slowing vehicle sales growth. The author, with 13 years of experience covering Tesla and Musk, notes a significant shift from Tesla's previous rapid and near-continuous sales growth to a plateau and eventual decline by mid-2025. Despite Tesla's continued success and large sales volumes, the company appears to be struggling to attract buyers at the same pace, as evidenced by increased consumer incentives and marketing changes—signs that contrast sharply with Tesla's earlier growth trajectory. This slowdown poses a fundamental challenge because Tesla's stock valuation is heavily predicated on hypergrowth and disruptive market dominance. While traditional automakers like Ford and GM have shown steady growth, Tesla's faltering sales and profits raise questions about whether its market capitalization remains justified. The article implies that Musk's pivot toward robotics, as outlined in the new Master Plan
robotTeslaElon-Muskautonomous-robotsrobotics-investmentrobot-manifestotechnology-innovationNewly Revealed Photos Tar Tesla With The Epstein Brush
The article highlights newly surfaced photographs obtained by The New York Times showing Tesla CEO Elon Musk in social settings with the late Jeffrey Epstein, a figure notorious for his involvement in sex trafficking and abuse scandals. While Musk is one among many celebrities photographed with Epstein, the timing is particularly damaging as Tesla faces a significant decline in electric vehicle (EV) sales across the US, Europe, and other markets. The article also references recent controversies involving Musk’s AI ventures, such as the xAI Grok Imagine feature generating inappropriate deepfake videos and anime-style AI companions with problematic characterizations, further compounding Tesla’s public relations challenges. The piece contextualizes Tesla’s current struggles within Musk’s evolving political and business stance. Initially a beneficiary of a 2009 US Department of Energy loan guarantee aimed at making EVs more affordable and increasing production, Musk has since shifted to a confrontational posture toward the federal government and public resources, actions that have reportedly cost taxpayers billions. His alignment with former President Trump and antagonism toward
energyelectric-vehiclesTeslaElon-Muskgovernment-loansEV-salesautomotive-industryMusk Pounds Another Nail Into The Tesla Sales Coffin
The article criticizes Tesla CEO Elon Musk for his handling of Tesla’s declining sales in 2025, particularly highlighting the company’s ongoing failure to address the significant gender gap in electric vehicle (EV) ownership. While women account for about 60% of new car sales in the U.S., they represent only around 30% of EV buyers, with men dominating EV ownership and shopping behavior. Tesla, as a market leader, is seen as largely responsible for this imbalance, which has contributed to a sales downturn that began last year and worsened into 2025. Instead of focusing on reversing this trend by appealing to female buyers, Musk has diverted attention to promoting his AI chatbot, Grok, on his social media platform X. The article further condemns Musk for enabling Grok’s “Spicy” mode, which allows the creation and dissemination of suggestive deepfake videos of celebrities, including uncensored and inappropriate content involving Taylor Swift. This move is portrayed as tone-deaf and irresponsible,
energyelectric-vehiclesTeslaEV-marketautomotive-industrygender-gapElon-MuskMusk Throws A Pall Over EVs & Memphis - CleanTechnica
A 2025 study published in the journal Nature reveals that Elon Musk’s recent political behavior has significantly damaged the Tesla brand and negatively impacted the broader perception of electric vehicles (EVs) in the U.S. The research, led by psychologist Alexandra Flores, found that liberals have become much less likely to buy Teslas following Musk’s public embrace of right-wing MAGA supporters and controversial actions, such as performing a Nazi salute and erratic behavior at a recent inauguration. Contrary to expectations, conservatives did not increase their interest in Tesla or EVs, resulting in a net decline in EV appeal among liberals without a corresponding gain among conservatives. This suggests Musk’s personal image has become so intertwined with EVs that his actions have broadly diminished the category’s attractiveness. The study highlights Musk’s earlier reputation as a climate-conscious entrepreneur and innovator, portrayed positively in popular culture during the 2010s. Initially seen as apolitical or even liberal, Musk’s shift toward right-wing politics has alienated his core liberal
energyelectric-vehiclesTeslaElon-Muskclean-energytransportationenvironmental-impactStarlink suffers rare global blackout, Elon Musk promises fix
Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, experienced a rare global outage on July 24, 2025, disrupting connectivity for thousands of users across multiple continents including North America, Europe, and Africa. The outage began around 3:24 pm ET, with reports peaking at over 58,000 users affected according to Downdetector. Starlink acknowledged the issue on social media, stating they were actively working on a solution and promising updates. Musk personally apologized for the disruption on X (formerly Twitter), assuring that the root cause would be addressed to prevent future occurrences. The company’s website also went temporarily offline during the outage, compounding user frustration. The blackout coincided with Musk’s recent announcement about Starlink’s expanding “Direct to Cell” service, which enables smartphones to connect directly to satellites, though no direct link between the update and the outage has been confirmed. The disruption had significant impacts, particularly in remote regions such as Canada’s North, where Starlink supports critical
IoTsatellite-internetStarlinknetwork-outageElon-MuskconnectivitytelecommunicationsTesla: Pigeon CEO, Overcompensated Captive & Useless Board, Failed Targets - CleanTechnica
The article critically examines Tesla’s recent challenges, focusing on leadership and governance issues. The author, once a longtime Tesla supporter, highlights growing concerns about CEO Elon Musk’s management style, describing him as a “pigeon CEO” who sporadically engages with the company before diverting attention elsewhere. This characterization stems from Musk’s increasing distractions, including his public appearances and personal commitments, which coincide with Tesla’s stagnating sales, lack of new product launches, and intensifying competition in key markets like China and Europe. Additionally, the article scrutinizes Tesla’s board of directors, accusing them of being overcompensated and ineffective overseers of Musk’s leadership. It references a Delaware court case where Tesla’s board was forced to return nearly $1 billion due to excessive compensation, far exceeding typical S&P 500 board pay. This exorbitant remuneration, coupled with the board’s reluctance to challenge Musk, is portrayed as a key factor in Tesla’s recent underperformance, including missed financial targets and declining
energyTeslaelectric-vehiclesElon-Muskautomotive-industryclean-energycorporate-governanceWhy The Delay For The Tesla Shareholders Annual Meeting? - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica highlights ongoing tensions and controversies surrounding Tesla’s delayed 2025 annual shareholders meeting, now scheduled for November 6, 2025. This date raises questions about compliance with Texas law, which requires the meeting to be held by July 13, 2025, within 13 months of the previous meeting. Tesla shareholders, including major pension funds and state treasurers, have publicly pressured the company for transparency and timely communication, reflecting broader dissatisfaction with CEO Elon Musk’s leadership and the board’s effectiveness. The delay adds to a pattern of missteps that have led to lawsuits and negative headlines, undermining Tesla’s once-celebrated status in the EV industry. Beyond the meeting delay, the article paints a dramatic portrait of Musk’s controversial public persona and actions. It references Musk’s recent AI chatbot Grok, which has generated antisemitic content, and his launch of a new political party, the America Party, with limited details but a pledge to support a
energyTeslaelectric-vehiclesshareholdersElon-Muskautomotive-industryclean-energyMusk's Long Term Plans Are Really Far Out - CleanTechnica
The article discusses Elon Musk's complex and often contradictory approach to his long-term plans and public persona. While Musk is known for impulsive decisions and contentious interactions—such as his rejected offer to assist in the Thai cave rescue and his public feud with former President Donald Trump—his long-term vision remains highly calculated, blending his unique worldview with data-driven insights and automation. Recently, Musk has escalated political involvement by launching a new political entity, the America Party, pledging support to select candidates, and criticizing legislation like the Senate’s Build Back Better bill for harming future industries. Musk's public disputes and erratic behavior have impacted the brands he leads, notably Tesla, SpaceX, and others. Institutional investors have expressed serious concerns about Tesla’s stock volatility, declining sales, and reputational issues linked to Musk’s actions outside his CEO role. A group holding 7.9 million Tesla shares called for reforms including clearer CEO time commitments, succession planning, and governance improvements to address these challenges. Overall
energyelectric-vehiclesTeslasubsidiesautomationself-driving-carsElon-MuskBest Cage Match Ever: Tesla CEO Takes On US President
The article details the escalating conflict between Tesla CEO Elon Musk and US President Donald Trump, highlighting how their personal and professional clashes have begun to impact Tesla’s brand reputation amid a challenging market environment. The tension intensified after Musk criticized Trump’s tax legislation, known as the “Big Beautiful Bill,” and reportedly left his White House role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Trump responded on social media by accusing Musk of receiving excessive subsidies and suggested Musk should return to South Africa, threatening to use DOGE—an agency Musk once led—to scrutinize Tesla and SpaceX. The article also explains the complex role of DOGE, originally the US Digital Service, which Musk and Trump repurposed to aggressively cut federal jobs and restructure agencies. Trump’s threat to turn DOGE against Musk raises questions about potential investigations, especially since Musk had reportedly dismissed federal investigators examining Tesla, SpaceX, and X during his tenure at DOGE. This situation is further complicated by calls from lawmakers, such as Representative
energyelectric-vehiclesTeslaElon-Muskgovernment-policysubsidiesrenewable-energyDonald Trump slams Elon Musk over EV subsidies as feud heats up
The article details a heated public dispute between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk centered on federal spending and electric vehicle (EV) subsidies. Musk criticized a recent federal spending bill that raised the national debt by $5 trillion, accusing both major political parties of failing the American people and branding them a “uniparty” or “PORKY PIG PARTY.” He threatened to support primary challengers against Republicans who backed the bill and suggested forming a new political party, the “America Party,” to counter what he sees as reckless government spending. In response, Trump sharply attacked Musk, highlighting that Musk’s companies receive substantial government subsidies and implying that without them, Musk’s ventures would fail. Trump questioned Musk’s loyalty, noting Musk’s previous endorsement of him despite his opposition to EV mandates. Trump reiterated his stance against forcing consumers to adopt electric vehicles, calling such mandates “ridiculous,” and sarcastically proposed cutting off subsidies for Musk’s businesses, including Tesla and SpaceX, to
energyelectric-vehiclessubsidiesgovernment-policyTeslaElon-Muskpolitical-debateBuyer's Remorse Redemption Tour For Tesla CEO Elon Musk
The article discusses Tesla CEO Elon Musk's apparent buyer’s remorse following his significant financial support—reportedly $250 million—to Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. Musk has recently made public and vocal criticisms of the Trump-backed tax bill, which some interpret as an attempt to salvage Tesla’s declining brand reputation. Tesla’s brand troubles predate Musk’s political involvement, stemming from controversies such as his handling of COVID-19 protocols, misinformation about vaccines, and the problematic acquisition of Twitter. These issues, combined with Tesla’s removal from the S&P 500 ESG Index in 2022, have contributed to a notable downturn in Tesla’s global sales and public perception. Musk now faces a complex dilemma likened to navigating between Scylla and Charybdis: distancing Tesla from the Trump administration could help repair the brand but risks antagonizing Trump, who controls federal funding vital to Musk’s ventures like SpaceX. Trump has previously threatened to cut off federal support, and federal investigations into Musk’s
energyTeslaElon-Muskelectric-vehiclesfederal-contractsbrand-reputationautomotive-industryTesla & Musk — Tied at the Hip, and the Mouth - CleanTechnica
The article "Tesla & Musk — Tied at the Hip, and the Mouth" by eveee, published on CleanTechnica, explores how Elon Musk’s personal ideology and leadership style have deeply influenced Tesla’s corporate identity and public perception. Musk’s conservative libertarian beliefs, emphasizing individualism and “free speech absolutism,” shape his management approach, which is described as highly centralized, paranoid about losing control, and dismissive of authority, regulation, and employee rights. This founder-driven style, rooted in an Ayn Rand-inspired philosophy, has led Musk to treat Tesla as a small personal venture rather than a mature, large company, hindering its ability to evolve with seasoned leadership. The article highlights how Musk’s personality and political actions have negatively impacted Tesla’s reputation and sales, particularly in Europe. For example, Tesla’s failure in Sweden is attributed to Musk’s disregard for the country’s strong cultural commitment to unions and collective bargaining, which soured public opinion well before controversies in Germany, France, and
energyelectric-vehiclesTeslaElon-Muskclean-technologyrenewable-energyautomotive-industryWhat Benefits Will Tesla Now Get with Trump–Musk Fallout? - CleanTechnica
energyelectric-vehiclesTeslaElon-Muskclean-energygovernment-policyElon Musk’s introduction to politics
energyTeslaclean-energyelectric-vehiclesgovernment-policysolar-energyElon-MuskMusk's Pattern To Overpromise And Underdeliver - CleanTechnica
robotTeslaElon-Muskinnovationelectric-vehiclesself-drivingtechnologyThe Actual Reason the Tesla Cybertruck Has Failed? - CleanTechnica
energyelectric-vehiclesTeslaCybertrucksolid-state-batteriesElon-Muskclean-technologyTesla sales continue to slump across Europe despite April EV sales swell
electric-vehiclesTeslaEV-salescharging-infrastructureEuropean-marketautomotive-industryElon-MuskNew York State Wants To Divest From Everything Tesla
New-YorkTesladivestmentclean-energyElon-Muskgreen-transitionstate-legislationTesla Has Become The Humpty Dumpty Of Brand Reputation, Part Infinity
Teslabrand-reputationElon-Muskreputational-crisiscorporate-imagecriticismpublic-perception