Tesla chairwoman denies report that the board wanted to replace Musk

Published May 1, 2025 10:22am ET



Tesla chairwoman Robyn Denholm denied a report that the electric vehicle company’s board was seeking a replacement for CEO Elon Musk after he took on an extensive role in the Trump administration.

The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that the Tesla board opened a search for a new CEO as Musk worked closely with the White House on its Department of Government Efficiency efforts. Musk said at a Tesla earnings call last month that he would spend significantly more time at Tesla and wind down his work with DOGE. That timing coincides with when the inquiry allegedly began, and when board members reportedly told Musk, without objection, he needed to spend more time at Tesla.

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