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Elon Musk Responds to Calls He Should Step Down as Tesla CEO – Musk Thanks a Tesla Investor Who Says He’ll Sell 75% of His Tesla Shares if Elon Steps Down

Elon Musk has acknowledged calls for his resignation as Tesla CEO after disappointing Q1 delivery results. Musk expressed gratitude to an investor who threatened to sell 75% of his Tesla shares if Musk stepped down as CEO.

Elon Musk has addressed calls for him to step down as Tesla CEO. Musk made his comments in response to a Tesla investor who goes by the X handle Teslaconomics.

Teslaconomics is one of the strongest supporters of both Tesla and Elon Musk.

And in defense of Musk, Teslanomics has come out against the growing call, even among Tesla investors, for Musk to resign from his CEO position at the EV maker.

Teslanomics not only defends Musk’s leadership position at Tesla but says he’ll immediately sell 75% of his TSLA shares if Musk steps down as CEO.

Expanding on his belief that Musk is essential to Tesla’s future, Teslanomics highlights key opportunities the company is exploring, such as level 5 fully autonomous vehicles, a robotaxi, and the Optimus robot, emphasizing that none of these innovations would be possible without Musk's influence.

Teslanomics writes…

“If you think Elon doesn’t need to be CEO of Tesla, you clearly haven’t done your homework.

He is Tesla’s most important asset - the reason moonshot ideas like Unsupervised FSD, Robotaxis, and Optimus are even on the table, let alone become a reality.

I wouldn’t be a Tesla investor if Elon wasn’t leading the way. And if he ever stepped away, I would sell 75% of my Tesla shares IMMEDIATELY.

Smart long-term investors know that Elon is the reason we stand behind this company.”

Beneath his post, Teslanomics featured a brief AI-generated video of Elon Musk, donning a coat adorned with Tesla’s logo and sunglasses, set against a backdrop of fire and lightning.

Given the video portraying Musk as a superhero and threat to sell 75% of his Tesla shares if he is removed from his CEO position, it is clear that Teslanomics is a huge fan of Musk.

Teslanomic’s post supporting Musk arrives as Tesla reports one of the steepest declines in vehicle deliveries in the company’s history.

Some of the delivery contraction can be attributed to the fact that Tesla has shifted to producing the updated Model Y in all four of its vehicle factories around the world.

However, examining the delivery numbers while setting aside the Model Y indicates that Tesla still faces a significant demand problem for the rest of its vehicle lineup.

Quarter over quarter, Cybertruck, Model S, and Model X deliveries are down 45%.

And according to the regional data we’ve analyzed so far, Model 3 deliveries are significantly down across the world.

A decline in deliveries is bad enough; however, this situation is even more critical for Tesla, as the EV maker is seen as a high-growth company. According to Tesla’s own guidance, vehicle deliveries were projected to increase by 50% each year until they reach 10 million vehicles annually by 2030.

However, let alone growth, Tesla’s Q1 2025 delivery is 20% lower than what the company delivered back in Q1 2023.

Tesla’s delivery numbers initially declined between 2023 and 2024, and now they are decreasing from 2024 to 2025.

As I mentioned, if Tesla was growing according to the company’s long-term plan of 50% compounded growth each year, Tesla’s delivery in Q1 2025 was supposed to reach 951,000 units.

However, according to the latest delivery numbers, in Q1 2025, Tesla only delivered 387,000 vehicles.

This is 615,000 fewer vehicles than what the EV maker was supposed to deliver in the first quarter of the year.

In other words, Tesla’s Q1 2025 deliveries are only 41% of what the company planned.

With this massive miss, it’s not surprising that a lot of Tesla investors might be frustrated with Musk.

However, during this precarious time, Musk has chosen to highlight his core supporters. He expressed gratitude for their backing, and in response to Teslanomics, who partly warned that he would sell 75% of his shares if Musk stepped down, Musk simply responded by writing, “Thanks.”

CEOs don't often need to highlight investors threatening to exit if the CEO departs. Nonetheless, due to Tesla’s declining sales, Musk seems to be in a vulnerable leadership role.

Overall, looking at the comments, a significant number of Tesla loyalists still seem to support Musk. However, please let me know what you think in the comments. Share your ideas by clicking the RED “Add new comment” button below. Also, make sure to visit our site, torquenews.com/Tesla, regularly for the latest updates.

For more information, check out: A Cybertruck Owner Says He’s Thrilled that Tesla Sold Him a Defective Truck. He adds, “I Can Now Return the Truck to Tesla at Full Price & Buy a Brand-New Cybertruck for $30,000 Less"

Tinsae Aregay has been following Tesla and the evolution of the EV space daily for several years. He covers everything about Tesla, from the cars to Elon Musk, the energy business, and autonomy. Follow Tinsae on Twitter at @TinsaeAregay for daily Tesla news.

Comments

Telsafan (not verified)    April 5, 2025 - 5:03PM

Elon, what you’ve done with Tesla is extraordinary and the future of Tesla is exciting and highly anticipated for stock owners. Great job! However, the people who are asking that you step down are those who have invested in Tesla as an income vehicle that has been shattered due to your political engagement. Those who are more financially stable can ride this turbulence longer than that person who perhaps has been trading options or similar trades for their additional income. We all know stocks fluctuate due to several market swings, but this Tesla turbulence was primarily inflicted by leadership not markets, so it is more of a plea for stability more so than it is a call for you to step down.Your leadership is what got Tesla here, and it will be your great leadership that will navigate Tesla back to its dominant foundation. It’s much easier for the wealthy or the well off to ride out stock fluctuations than average investors, so there perspective will always be different, therefore, great leadership is of great importance. Keep up the good work! You are the king of Tesla! Govern your kingdom into the new world of valuation dominance!

Gandhi Asit (not verified)    April 5, 2025 - 7:01PM

Elon made everyone so rich in last 10 years. Now in this difficult time we have to support him. Also with our support and elons leadership Tesla s future looks Great. Not easy to find CEO like Elon.

Ron Blood (not verified)    April 6, 2025 - 2:22AM

In reply to by Gandhi Asit (not verified)

Every great CEO has a shelf life. Musk has reached his sell by date. He should leave so that the company he built will continue to thrive and build the future he envisioned. That won’t happen if he hangs around stinking up the place with politics that half the world despises. Say good bye, Elon.

Jamie (not verified)    April 6, 2025 - 10:18AM

In reply to by Gandhi Asit (not verified)

I think the last thing Tesla needs going forward is a CEO like Elon. In fact, not only should he step down...the next CEO should be someone rather unlike Elon.

This is a company that needs a dedicated, growth-minded CEO with no distractions. A nerdy automotive gearhead who eats and sleeps Tesla, thinks rockets are stupid and politics is boring.

Jeff (not verified)    April 5, 2025 - 8:23PM

Elon Musk is Tesla. Liberals are a bunch of petty losers. I just bought a Tesla and simply love it.

Ron Blood (not verified)    April 6, 2025 - 1:52AM

In reply to by Jeff (not verified)

I’m a progressive. I own a Model 3 bought 3 years ago because I loved the product and the company. I invested most of my retirement account in Tesla. I love the car. I now despise Musk. I was a great admirer. No longer. I will dump my stock as soon as i can break even on it which may be never. I will keep the car until the loan is paid. After that I will trade it for a Hyundai EV and never look back. Musk is going to destroy a great company in service to his ego. No thanks. I’m out.

Ron Blood (not verified)    April 6, 2025 - 2:02AM

In reply to by Jeff (not verified)

I’m a progressive. I own a Model 3 bought 3 years ago because I loved the product and the company. I invested most of my retirement account in Tesla. I love the car. I now despise Musk. I was a great admirer. No longer. I will dump my stock as soon as i can break even on it which may be never. I will keep the car until the loan is paid. After that I will trade it for a Hyundai EV and never look back. Musk is going to destroy a great company in service to his ego. No thanks. I’m out.

Timothy Blount (not verified)    April 6, 2025 - 1:21PM

In reply to by Jeff (not verified)

It's not just liberals but conservatives to what he's done has left a bad taste in people's mouths and can be undone if he does the right thing, you can't build a company and have loyal investors then become a political foe but assuming you know what's best for millions of people who work hard everyday but not have the luxury s you have, the people have spoken stick to what you know not what you think is best for you cause he wasn't thinking about the Domino affect it would have on his supporters then to get involved in Wisconsin politics and shell out millions trying to buy a election it was obvious that Tesla was going to plummet Red and Blue states took that as a slap in the face to democracy, He's South African and invading American politics the writing was on the wall

Craig Frese (not verified)    April 5, 2025 - 8:26PM

I am a owner/ stockholder of a Tesla 3 and would sell it if I could get any type of decent price for it. I love the car but can no longer deal with Musk. His hand raising to even remotely infer Hitler was what turned me totally against him and and recent remarks. I am going to dump the stock very soon. I love my Tesla but can not stand the man behind it any longer. Hopefully car price will rebound and I can get a electric vehicle from a company that respects people.

Craig Frese (not verified)    April 5, 2025 - 8:29PM

I am a owner/ stockholder of a Tesla 3 and would sell it if I could get any type of decent price for it. I love the car but can no longer deal with Musk. His hand raising to even remotely infer Hitler was what turned me totally against him and and recent remarks. I am going to dump the stock very soon. I love my Tesla but can not stand the man behind it any longer. Hopefully car price will rebound and I can get a electric vehicle from a company that respects people.

T. (not verified)    April 5, 2025 - 8:32PM

So... who really will him selling of 75% of his stock hurt? Other investors, Musk, ???
Sema like it's only a problem for a small group of people, and mostly tesla employees that own stock. They does auck for them in the short term, however the chances Tesla will rebound hugely from Musk being ousted seems worth it.
Little pain now for a lot of return long run? Or keep him in, and watch Tesla tank even more daily.

Doubter (not verified)    April 5, 2025 - 9:05PM

Musk’s exit is overdue. He is no longer in control of himself and his misrepresentations on everything from the ever next quarter completion of FSD to his overhyped robots that still require human minders to control together mean he is unfit. No amount of ketamine and shrooms will get him to return to actually leading - if indeed he ever did. Shrill declarations are not accomplishments. The real question is whether Tesla the company can survive- with or without him.

Cary (not verified)    April 5, 2025 - 9:11PM

If he believes so much in Elon, then if Elon steps down, it would only be the right thing that he's sell off stock, because he'd believe that the company stock would go down. I suspect the stock would go up if he steps down. So the premise that his selling 75% of his stock would be of consequence is stupid. Especially if he doesn't own at least several teams of millions of dollars worth of stock. I say, bye bye Elon, bye bye teslanomics.

Cyberbeast (not verified)    April 5, 2025 - 9:22PM

Hate the Player, don't hate the Game. Tesla is #2 globally, behind BYD in China. All other American EV companies (and imports) are very far behind Tesla sale numbers in US (and globally). Many are praying on the downfall of Tesla when it has contributed to the reduction of carbon emissions more than any American company. Number 1 selling EV pickup (CT) and best selling EV (Y) in America. American jobs and technology advances are good for the US. Unclear who and what their interests are in the failure of this generational company that employs thousands of American citizens. The President is making the decisions, DODGE is simply there to implement the policies-anger is misplaced. It would be devastating to EVs, the globe and high paying US jobs if Tesla failed.

Nick B (not verified)    April 5, 2025 - 11:00PM

Having things "on the table because Musk is there" and them becoming reality are two vastly different things. This is why Tesla is a glorified meme stock. It's valuation is based solely on possibilities. Possibilities that tesla has not once, ever, delivered upon.
People are finally starting to realize. Its 10% drop in one day is result of this.

Jamie (not verified)    April 6, 2025 - 12:05AM

I'm so sick of the Democrats doing horrible things. Their goal in life is to cause chaos. Don't they want tax dollars saved? Oh, that's right, the bureaucrats want their dark money to keep flowing.

Alasdair MacLean (not verified)    April 6, 2025 - 12:14AM

I am so tired of the current obsession with Elon Musk.
Musk is no technical genius ... he had nothing to do with the creation of Tesla (he just bought a majority share with the money he made from PayPal).
A supreme narcissist, he has (like his buddy Trump) an extraordinary talent for self-promotion ... but I don't think he has much talent beyond that.
Hopefully someday his fortune will be gone ... and with it the incessant attention the media pays to him.
I can hardly wait for that day !!

Victor Gonzalez (not verified)    April 6, 2025 - 12:38AM

The entire market has been in a tumble downward since Joe Biden took office. REMEMBER, Biden had eggs up to $10/dozen. He also allowed an estimated 20,000,000 undocumented illegals in to get welfare and every other entitlement reserved for illegals. Let's not forget about the damage he did to USA.

Now we have Musk and Trump cleaning up the corruption. All certain Americans can do is complain about the efforts to rid and clean up fraud. Imagine, some are dumb enough to complain about Trump/Elon cleaning messes crooked politicians made? How stupid does that sound? Extremely

Ron Blood (not verified)    April 6, 2025 - 1:20AM

I, on the other hand will dump all my Tesla stock as soon as it comes back to a break even point for me if Musk stays on as CEO. Musk has overstayed his tenure. He is completely besotted by his nexus of power with Trump. Whatever importance Musk had to the success of Tesla is no longer relevant. He has thrown that leverage out the window in pursuit of political power. Being incredibly wealthy isn’t enough. He also wants to rule the world. No thanks.

Dustyrains (not verified)    April 6, 2025 - 2:12AM

Elon Musk could be compared to Steve Jobs. Apple would not be around if not for Jobs. He built the core of Apple. But when he was gone, competent leadership kept the company growing and expanding to the 3 trillion market cap it has today. I say that if Musk died tomorrow someone would pick up the reigns and keep the company growing and expanding as did Tim Cook with Apple. It bears repeating that no one person is completely irreplaceable in any corporation. Many companies have continued to greatness after their founders were replaced. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that Tesla won’t do well without Musk. Right now he is dead weight and needs to go.