Elon Musk, the controversial CEO of Tesla, has once again grabbed headlines—this time, for his furious late-night meltdown following a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report that suggested the Tesla board was seeking to replace him as CEO. Musk’s angry outburst on social media platform X has left many stunned, as he lashed out at the publication with a series of all-caps posts, accusing the WSJ of publishing false and unethical information.
What Sparked Elon Musk’s Meltdown?
The drama began on May 1, 2025, when the Wall Street Journal, a publication owned by the Murdoch family, reported that Tesla’s board of directors had reportedly initiated a search for a new CEO. According to the report, the eight-member board had contacted multiple executive search firms to explore leadership alternatives for Tesla, as Musk was busy focusing on his cost-cutting initiative known as DOGE.
Musk, a member of the Tesla board himself, wasted no time in addressing the report. In his typically unfiltered style, the Tesla CEO hit the “caps lock” button and unleashed a furious tirade on X at around 1:30 AM Eastern Time, accusing the WSJ of publishing a deliberately false article and violating journalistic ethics.
“I am deeply upset at the Wall Street Journal for publishing such a misleading and false report,” Musk tweeted. “It is an EXTREMELY BAD BREACH OF ETHICS that they would not include an unequivocal denial beforehand from the Tesla board of directors!”
He continued his rant by calling the Wall Street Journal a “discredit to journalism,” further intensifying the situation.
Tesla Board Denies the Report
Tesla’s spokesperson Robyn Denholm quickly responded to the controversy, issuing a strong denial of the WSJ‘s claims. Denholm emphasized that the report was entirely false and that the Tesla board had communicated this to the media before the article’s publication.
“There is no truth to the report claiming that the Tesla Board had contacted recruitment firms to search for a new CEO,” Denholm stated. “The CEO of Tesla is Elon Musk, and the Board remains confident in his ability to lead the company moving forward with our exciting growth plans.”
Despite the board’s denials, the incident highlights the underlying tensions surrounding Musk’s leadership of the electric vehicle giant. Tesla has faced several challenges in recent months, including declining sales and falling profits, which may have contributed to the concerns raised in the Wall Street Journal article.
The Growing Criticism of Elon Musk
Musk’s latest outburst comes amid mounting pressure on Tesla. For several years now, the company has been dealing with a decline in profit margins and sales, especially in key global markets. In its most recent earnings call, Tesla reported a staggering 71% drop in profits for the first quarter of 2025, earning just $409 million, down from $1.4 billion during the same period in 2024.
This decline in profits has been attributed to several factors, including increased competition in the electric vehicle sector, ongoing supply chain issues, and Musk’s time-consuming role in managing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a controversial government initiative he leads under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Tesla’s financial woes, combined with Musk’s apparent distraction with his political endeavors, have raised concerns among investors, analysts, and board members alike. While Musk’s passion and determination have helped drive Tesla’s rise to dominance in the electric vehicle market, some have questioned whether he is still able to fully commit to the company’s future success.
Musk Scales Back Involvement in DOGE
In light of the growing criticism, Musk announced that he would scale back his involvement in DOGE to just one or two days per week starting in May 2025. The announcement came shortly after Tesla’s disappointing financial results, and Musk acknowledged that his attention had been divided between the electric vehicle maker and his political role.
“There’s been some blowback for the time that I’ve been spending in government with DOGE,” Musk admitted during a call with Tesla investors. “I’ll be focusing more on Tesla and scaling back my time in government so I can refocus on the company’s needs.”
Despite these reassurances, the damage to Musk’s reputation as Tesla’s CEO may already be done. As the Wall Street Journal article suggested, there is an undercurrent of concern within the company about Musk’s ability to lead Tesla through these difficult times.
A Media War with the Murdoch Family
This latest clash between Musk and the Wall Street Journal is just one in a series of high-profile media battles Musk has found himself in over the years. The WSJ has previously been critical of Musk, especially in relation to his unconventional leadership style and his controversial involvement with the Trump administration.
Musk’s relationship with the Murdoch family, which controls the WSJ, has been strained by their differing political stances. While Murdoch’s publications have often supported conservative figures like Trump, Musk’s role as an advisor to the president and his leadership of DOGE has placed him at odds with the media mogul’s empire.
What’s Next for Tesla and Elon Musk?
The future of Tesla and Elon Musk’s leadership is uncertain. As the company continues to grapple with declining profits, increased competition, and a divisive CEO, questions remain about Musk’s ability to remain at the helm for much longer. While Musk has reaffirmed his commitment to the company, the growing concerns from investors and the public cannot be ignored.
For now, it seems that Musk is determined to weather the storm. But with tensions within Tesla, mounting financial struggles, and a growing media war, it’s clear that the road ahead for both Musk and the company may not be as smooth as it once appeared.
Conclusion
Elon Musk’s late-night meltdown over the Wall Street Journal report highlights the pressure mounting on the Tesla CEO as the company faces declining profits and increasing scrutiny. Musk’s fiery response only adds to the growing narrative of uncertainty surrounding his leadership. As Tesla moves forward, it remains to be seen whether Musk can regain his focus and steer the company back to success or if the cracks in his leadership will continue to widen.
