Elon Musk, the billionaire, affirmed his dedication to remaining the CEO of Tesla in five years amidst challenges posed by both consumers and the stock market due to his collaborations with President Donald Trump’s administration.
During a video appearance at the Qatar Economic Forum hosted by Bloomberg, Musk faced inquiries about his recent involvement with Trump during the President’s Middle East trip, leading to discussions about his businesses and the impact of his political associations on them.
A moderator asked: “Do you see yourself and are you committed to still being the chief executive of Tesla in five years’ time?”
Musk responded: “Yes.”
The moderator pushed further: “No doubt about that at all?”
Musk added, chuckling: “I can’t be still here if I’m dead.”
Tesla has been under significant strain as Musk’s cooperation with Trump in the Department of Government Efficiency initiative has drawn attention, especially during the government’s cost-cutting actions throughout the United States.
Asked if what he faced made him think twice about his involvement in politics, Musk grew quiet and looked off camera for a moment before responding.
“I did what needed to be done,” he said. “I’m not someone who has ever committed violence and yet massive violence was committed against my companies, massive violence was threatened against me.”
He added: “Don’t worry: We’re coming for you.”
Musk has seen a Tesla pay package he was due, once valued at $56 billion, stopped by a Delaware judge. Musk on Tuesday referred to Chancellor Kathaleen St. Jude McCormick as an “activist who is cosplaying a judge in a Halloween costume.”
Yet he acknowledged his Tesla pay was a part of his consideration about staying with the automaker, though he also wanted “sufficient voting control” so he “cannot be ousted by activist investors.”
“It’s not a money thing, it’s a reasonable control thing over the future of the company, especially if we’re building millions, potentially billions of humanoid robots,” he added.
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