A Tesla investor has urged Elon Musk to step down as CEO for the sake of the company’s future in a surprising statement.
Musk, who has become a significant figure in American politics, has been very active on the social media platform he owns, Twitter (now rebranded as ‘X’). In recent months, he has focused on supporting and endorsing Donald Trump’s administration.
This could be contributing to the issues surrounding Tesla.
Ross Gerber, one of Tesla’s earliest investors, urged Elon Musk to step down as CEO, offering a barrage of criticism directed at the billionaire.
He stated that Musk’s focus on the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Trump’s administration has diverted his attention from the company.
He also noted that Musk is becoming more a divisive public figure has negatively impacted the company.
Tesla’s market value has plummeted by over $800 billion since December, and with protests and boycotts against the brand adding to the trouble, Gerber believes the company is now in a crisis.
Speaking on Sky News, Gerber said: “The company’s reputation has been ruined by Elon Musk. Sales are dropping, so yes, it’s a crisis. You literally can’t sell the best product in the market because the CEO is so divisive.
“It’s time for someone else to lead Tesla. The business has been neglected for too long. There are too many important things Tesla is doing, so either Elon should return to Tesla as CEO and step away from his other roles, or he should focus on government matters and find a capable CEO for Tesla.”
Ross Gerber said Musk hasn’t been paying attention to Tesla
“I believe Tesla needs a new CEO, and I decided today that I was going to start saying it—this is the first time I’m saying it publicly. It’s time for someone else to run Tesla.
“The business has been neglected for far too long. There are too many important initiatives at Tesla, so either Elon should come back to lead the company as CEO and give up his other roles, or he should focus on his work in government and appoint a suitable CEO for Tesla.”
It’s a sharp critique, but as of now, Musk has not made any public statement in response to Gerber’s comments.
