In recent developments, Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk, have been at the center of several significant events, including public disputes, strategic decisions, and operational challenges. Elon Musk’s net worth has plunged below $300 billion, a staggering drop influenced not only by targeted vandalism but also by Tesla’s sharp 40% stock decline since the beginning of 2025.
Those who financed the attacks against Tesla will go to prison
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 8, 2025
Elon Musk has publicly condemned the attacks, describing them as “insane and deeply wrong.” He emphasized that Tesla is a “peaceful company” focused solely on manufacturing electric vehicles and does not deserve such targeted aggression.
Elon Musk’s Public Dispute with Peter Navarro
On April 8, 2025, Elon Musk engaged in a public disagreement with White House trade adviser Peter Navarro. Navarro claimed that Tesla merely assembles vehicles using foreign components, particularly batteries from Japan and China. Musk responded on his social media platform, X, calling Navarro a “moron” and defending Tesla’s manufacturing practices by highlighting the company’s high domestic content and vertical integration. This exchange occurred amid criticism of President Trump’s tariffs and increasing market volatility.
Tesla Supercharger Station Incident in Washington
In a separate incident, a Tesla Supercharger station in Lacey, Washington, sustained severe damage due to a suspected explosion around 1:34 a.m. local time. The Lacey Police and the FBI are investigating the incident as “malicious mischief,” indicating intentional property destruction. This event is part of a broader pattern of Tesla-related vandalism following Musk’s controversial role in the Trump administration. Protesters have targeted Tesla products, leading to vehicle arson, showroom shootings, and damaged charging stations. President Trump has labeled these attacks as “domestic terrorism,” prompting the FBI to form a task force to address the growing number of incidents.
Elon Musk’s Demand for Increased Control Over Tesla
Elon Musk has expressed a desire to increase his voting power within Tesla to approximately 25%. He stated that without this level of control, he would prefer to develop AI and robotics products outside of Tesla. Musk currently owns around 13% of Tesla’s shares and seeks this increased influence to guide the company’s future direction in AI and robotics.
Tesla’s Organizational Overhaul
Amid reports of mass layoffs affecting over 10% of its workforce, Elon Musk emphasized the need for Tesla to undergo a complete organizational overhaul every five years to reach the next level of success. He highlighted that such restructuring is necessary due to the company’s rapid growth and the resulting duplication of roles and job functions.
These events underscore a period of significant change and challenge for Tesla and its leadership, reflecting the complexities of navigating corporate strategy, public relations, and operational efficiency in a rapidly evolving industry.
Nikolai Carter
