Tesla Inc. has strongly denied a recent report by the Wall Street Journal alleging that the company’s board of directors is actively searching for a successor to replace CEO Elon Musk. The report, which has since gained traction online, claimed that concerns over Musk’s divided attention among his multiple ventures and Tesla’s fluctuating financial performance had prompted the board to initiate preliminary discussions about leadership changes.
However, Tesla’s board swiftly moved to shut down the speculation. Chairwoman Robyn Denholm issued a public statement directly refuting the claims, stating that the Wall Street Journal’s report was “factually incorrect” and that Tesla had previously informed the publication of this before the story was published. Denholm emphasized that there were no ongoing or planned efforts to replace Musk, who remains deeply involved in the company’s operations and long-term vision.
“The board has full confidence in Elon’s leadership and remains committed to supporting him as Tesla continues to innovate and grow,” Denholm said in the statement.
The controversy has ignited a broader conversation about journalistic standards, corporate transparency, and the responsibility of media outlets when reporting on high-stakes matters involving major public companies. Critics have questioned the timing and sourcing of the WSJ article, while others argue that the report reflects legitimate concerns about executive accountability and succession planning in tech firms where leadership is tightly tied to a single figure.
Elon Musk, who also leads SpaceX, Neuralink, and X (formerly Twitter), has not commented directly on the report as of press time. Nonetheless, he has previously dismissed similar concerns about his capacity to manage multiple companies, often stating that his teams are well-structured and capable of executing their missions independently.
This latest incident adds to a growing list of high-profile clashes between Tesla and the media, as the automaker continues to navigate intense public scrutiny, rapid industry changes, and the challenges of maintaining investor confidence.
