Elon Musk has addressed growing concerns from Tesla shareholders who’ve criticized his time away from the company, citing his involvement with DOGE and other ventures. In his trademark casual style, Musk acknowledged the criticism with a simple “Indeed (sigh)” and defended his decision to focus on personal goals. While Musk’s political commitments have kept him busy, his return to Tesla is highly anticipated. Can Musk steer Tesla back to its former glory amid rising competition, or will his divided focus continue to impact the company? Keep an eye on how this drama unfolds!

Elon Musk Responds to Tesla Shareholders Criticizing His Absence: ‘Indeed (Sigh)’

Elon Musk has fired back at Tesla shareholders who have recently voiced their concerns about his absence from the company, which they believe has contributed to a decline in Tesla’s stock price. Musk, who has been heavily involved in political and governmental affairs, including his role as a “special government employee” at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has faced increasing pressure from investors to refocus on Tesla.

The Shareholder Letter and Criticism

According to a letter obtained by CNN, a group of Tesla stakeholders expressed their frustration over Musk’s absence, suggesting that the CEO’s focus on outside ventures, particularly his role with DOGE, has diverted his attention away from managing Tesla’s operations. “Mr. Musk’s outside endeavors appear to have diverted his time and attention from actively managing Tesla’s operations, as any other chief executive officer of a publicly traded company would be expected to do,” the shareholders stated.

The letter underscored what they termed a “crisis” at Tesla, citing the need for Musk’s leadership to guide the company through its current challenges. The shareholders have been vocal in their concerns, with some questioning whether Musk’s focus on Tesla has been diluted by his other commitments.

Musk’s Response: A Casual Deflection

In true Musk fashion, the CEO responded casually to the criticism with a brief but resigned tweet. “Indeed (sigh),” Musk tweeted, acknowledging the concern but showing little interest in engaging in a back-and-forth over his time allocation. Fans of Musk were quick to come to his defense, with one supporter on X (formerly Twitter) responding: “It’s funny we have investors demanding Elon work a certain amount of hours per week when we haven’t even PAID HIM TO DO SO since 2018. You got to have some nerve.” Musk’s admirers seemed to support his choice to prioritize his passions and personal goals over strict work hours, pointing out that his contribution to Tesla hasn’t been based on a formal salary for years.

Musk’s Transition from DOGE Back to Tesla

Musk’s involvement with DOGE, a government initiative aimed at cutting waste and improving efficiency within federal agencies, has been a significant commitment over the past several months. Appointed by President Donald Trump in January 2025, Musk took on the role of spearheading the new department. His tenure was marked by ambitious goals to cut down on government spending, including a dramatic reduction in his target for spending cuts—from $2 trillion to $150 billion. Despite his strong intentions, Musk’s efforts met with resistance and political pushback, leaving him frustrated with the progress of the department.

As his time at DOGE came to an end in May, Musk publicly acknowledged his shift in priorities. “As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending,” Musk posted on X. “The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government,” he added, signaling that his work on the project had a lasting impact.

However, Musk admitted that he had spent “probably a bit too much time on politics” and acknowledged that his focus had been too divided. “It’s not like I left the companies. It was just relative time allocation that probably was a little too high on the government side, and I’ve reduced that significantly in recent weeks,” he shared in a conversation with Ars Technica.

Musk’s Return to Tesla: What’s Next?

With Musk shifting his focus back to his core businesses, including Tesla, many are curious about what comes next for the automaker. Despite recent struggles with stock performance, Tesla remains Musk’s most valuable investment, and the company’s future depends on his leadership and vision. Musk’s return to Tesla comes at a time when the company is facing increased competition in the electric vehicle market, and investors are eager to see him bring the same level of innovation and drive to Tesla that he brought to other ventures.

For Musk, the balance between his business interests, political involvement, and personal commitments remains a delicate one. While his time at DOGE may not have met all of his expectations, it has certainly shaped his approach to leadership and decision-making in the business world.

Conclusion: Musk Faces the Pressure of Balancing Responsibilities

Elon Musk’s departure from DOGE and his renewed focus on Tesla signals a return to the core of his business empire, but the scrutiny from investors is unlikely to disappear. While Musk remains one of the wealthiest individuals in the world, his critics will continue to question whether his attention is spread too thin across his various endeavors. Tesla shareholders will be watching closely to see if Musk can regain the momentum that made Tesla a leader in the electric vehicle market and whether his return to the company will signal a new chapter in its growth.

For Musk, the path forward will require balancing his many commitments, managing shareholder expectations, and maintaining his reputation as one of the most innovative business leaders of his generation. The coming months will reveal whether he can refocus on Tesla while continuing to juggle his other high-profile ventures.