Report: Elon Musk considering stepping back from Twitter and Tesla
Twitter CEO Elon Musk said Wednesday he plans to eventually find someone else to run the social media brand, according to Reuters, and is reportedly considering doing the same with another one of his companies, electric car giant Tesla.
Musk's remarks came during testimony in a Delaware court, in which he took the stand in a lawsuit over his $56 billion pay package from Tesla. The lawsuit claims that the package was based on easily achievable targets approved by a handpicked board of directors.
Per Reuters, investors at Tesla are reportedly becoming more concerned that Musk is devoting too much of his time to Twitter. However, during the testimony, Musk said, "There's an initial burst of activity needed post-acquisition to reorganize the company, but then I expect to reduce my time at Twitter."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
It may be, though, that Musk is also looking toward the next chapter at Tesla.
This revelation reportedly came from one of Tesla's board members, James Murdoch, who also testified at the trial. During the testimony, Murdoch told the court Musk had recently "identified a potential successor" that could take over as CEO of Tesla, The Wall Street Journal reported. This would seemingly mark a change for Musk, who said in 2021 that he had no plan of succession for Tesla.
"CEO is often viewed as somewhat of a business-focused role, but in reality my role is much more that of an engineer developing technology," Musk said of his job at Tesla.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other Hollywood news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
Methanol poisoning: how Laos horror happened
The Explainer Recent 'tainted-alcohol' deaths expose 'dangerous incentives driving backpacker-focused tourism'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Are cinema singalongs hitting a bum note?
Talking Point Wicked fans have been belting out songs during screenings – and not everyone's happy
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
New Zealand is up in arms over Maori rights bill
In the Spotlight Thousands of New Zealanders have taken to the streets over the bill
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
DOJ seeks breakup of Google, Chrome
Speed Read The Justice Department aims to force Google to sell off Chrome and make other changes to rectify its illegal search monopoly
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Bluesky: the social media platform causing a mass X-odus
The Explainer Social media platform is enjoying a new influx but can it usurp big rivals?
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
What Trump's win could mean for Big Tech
Talking Points The tech industry is bracing itself for Trump's second administration
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Racist texts tell Black people in US to prepare for slavery
Speed Read Recipients in at least a dozen states have been told to prepare to 'pick cotton' on slave plantations
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Australia proposes social media ban before age 16
Speed Read Australia proposes social media ban before age 16
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
FTC bans fake online product reviews
Speed Read The agency will enforce fines of up to $51,744 per violation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is the world ready for Tesla's new domestic robots?
Talking Points The debut of Elon Musk's long-promised "Optimus" at a Tesla event last week has renewed debate over the role — and feasibility — of commercial automatons
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
States sue TikTok over children's mental health
Speed Read The lawsuit was filed by 13 states and Washington, D.C.
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published