May 21, 2025 — Doha — Elon Musk put lingering speculation to rest Tuesday, stating unequivocally that he has no plans to step down as Tesla’s CEO, despite mounting scrutiny over his political involvement and Tesla’s fluctuating market performance.
Appearing via livestream at the Qatar Economic Forum, Musk responded candidly to a question regarding his future at the helm of Tesla. “Yes,” he said, when asked whether he saw himself leading the electric vehicle pioneer five years from now. When pressed further, he jokingly added, “I can’t run Tesla if I’m not alive.”
The brief exchange followed Musk’s recent visit to Doha, which coincided with former President Donald Trump’s tour of the Middle East. Musk’s collaboration with Trump’s administration on a governmental efficiency initiative known as “DOGE” has drawn criticism, particularly as it overlaps with controversial federal staff reductions.
While Tesla remains a leader in clean energy and automotive innovation, its stock has seen volatility in recent months, exacerbated by questions surrounding Musk’s political affiliations and focus. Some investors and analysts have raised concerns that Musk’s increasingly public political profile could distract from Tesla’s core business goals.
Those concerns intensified following a Wall Street Journal report on May 1 that claimed Tesla’s board had started discreet conversations with executive recruitment firms to identify potential successors for Musk. However, Tesla Chair Robyn Denholm swiftly denied the report, calling it “absolutely false” and reaffirming the board’s confidence in Musk’s leadership.
“Elon is not going anywhere,” Denholm said in a statement earlier this month. “The board is united in its support, and we remain focused on Tesla’s mission.”
Despite controversy, Musk continues to be the face of Tesla’s innovations—from its advancements in battery technology to ongoing developments in autonomous driving and global factory expansion.
For now, the tech mogul appears undeterred. Musk’s blend of defiance and humor at the Qatar event offered a clear message to critics: he plans to stay, and Tesla’s future, for better or worse, will still bear his signature.
