Tesla CEO Elon Musk has made it unmistakably clear: he is not planning to step down anytime soon. In a candid and somewhat darkly humorous moment during the Qatar Economic Forum this week, Musk stated he intends to lead Tesla for at least the next five yearsββunless I die.β
His quip drew laughter from the audience, but behind the humor lies a firm declaration of his long-term dedication to the company he founded and built into a global electric vehicle powerhouse.
The exchange took place during a pointed discussion with Bloomberg journalist Mishal Husain, who asked Musk if he was committed to remaining Teslaβs CEO over the coming years. Muskβs succinct answer was βYes,β with the notable qualification: βUnless I die. Let me see if Iβm dead.β That line, though levity-infused, underscored a deeper truthβMusk views his leadership role as inseparable from his identity and mission.
While much of the public and media focus centers on Teslaβs ambitious plans for autonomous cars and humanoid robots like Optimus, Musk made it clear that power and control remain central concerns. His continued leadership hinges not only on his willingness but also on securing majority voting control of Tesla to safeguard against activist investors or political forces that might try to unseat him.
βItβs not a money thing,β Musk explained. βItβs a reasonable control thing over the future of the company, especially for building millions, potentially billions of humanoid robots.β Muskβs insistence on control is framed less as a personal financial ambition and more as a safeguard to preserve Teslaβs visionary trajectory.
The CEOβs βrobot clause,β as some analysts have dubbed it, reflects his intent to remain firmly in charge as Tesla evolves into a tech-driven company focused on artificial intelligence, robotics, and autonomous transportation. Musk sees this future as revolutionary, and losing control to activist investors or external pressures could, in his view, jeopardize that vision.
Despite Teslaβs recent strugglesβincluding a notable sales slump and public controversiesβMusk remains undeterred. He downplayed the significance of the sales downturn, asserting that the situation has already reversed in most major markets.
βItβs already turned around,β Musk said confidently. βEurope is our weakest market. Weβre strong everywhere else. Our sales are doing well at this point and we donβt anticipate any meaningful sales shortfall.β He pointed to Teslaβs market valuation, which has rebounded above the trillion-dollar mark, as proof that investors share his optimism.
Acknowledging the polarized public perception of Tesla, Musk noted, βThere are also people who are buying [our cars] because Elonβs crazy or however they may view it. So, yes, weβve lost some sales perhaps on the left, but weβve gained them on the right. The sales numbers at this point are strong and we see no problem with demand.β
However, publicly available data tells a somewhat different story. Teslaβs sales in its home market continued to decline during the first quarter of 2025, while the rest of the industry experienced double-digit growth. Yet, Teslaβs stock price has remained resilient, and Musk insists that the marketβs faith in Teslaβs potential is what truly matters.
The undercurrent behind Teslaβs sales challenges lies in Muskβs controversial political involvement. Over the past years, Musk has become a polarizing figure due to his outspoken political views and activism. These stances have sometimes alienated segments of Teslaβs potential customers, contributing to vandalism at Tesla showrooms and threats against Musk personally.
When pressed by Husain on how politics have impacted Tesla and how he has handled public criticism, Musk was resolute: βI did what needed to be done.β He spoke of the violence inflicted on his companies and the threats against his life, questioning the motives of those behind such acts.
βIβm justβIβm not someone whoβs ever committed violence. And yet massive violence was committed against my companies. Massive violence was threatened against me. Who are these people? Why would they do that? Theyβre on the wrong side of history, and thatβs an evil thing to do, to go and damage some poor innocent personβs car. To threaten to kill me. Whatβs wrong with these people? Iβve not harmed anyone.β
Musk also indicated that he has βdone enoughβ political spending for the foreseeable future, suggesting a potential retreat from the highly charged political arena. Still, he did not entirely close the door on future involvement.
Public perception, however, remains a challenge. Recent surveys show that nearly two-thirds of Americans say they would not buy a Tesla because of Muskβs political views and public persona. Whether Tesla can recover from this reputation hurdle while Musk remains at the helm is yet to be seen.
What is clear is Muskβs unwavering dedication to Tesla and his acceptance of whatever consequences come with it. He made no secret that if Teslaβs fortunes were to decline or the company were to face a downfall in the coming years, he would be there until the very end.
βIf the ship goes down in the next five years, Iβll be right there with it,β Musk said with characteristic frankness.
In summary, Elon Muskβs declaration is more than a humorous asideβit is a stark reaffirmation of his lifelong commitment to Tesla. Despite the immense pressures from financial markets, political backlash, and operational challenges, Musk remains steadfast in his role as the companyβs leader and visionary.
His desire for control, particularly in safeguarding Teslaβs bold AI and robotics ambitions, will likely shape the companyβs future trajectory. For investors, employees, and the industry alike, Muskβs statement signals that Teslaβs fate is deeply entwined with the man who refuses to relinquish his seat at the wheel.
The next several years promise to be critical for Tesla as it navigates technological breakthroughs and market realities under Muskβs unyielding stewardship. Whether his determination will translate into sustained success remains a key question for the global electric vehicle market and beyond.
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