Associated Press, by Jon Gambrell
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (AP) – Billionaire Elon Musk said Tuesday that he has pledged to become Tesla’s CEO in five years as the automaker faces intense consumer and stock price pressure on President Donald Trump’s government.
The question came when masks appeared at the Qatar Economic Forum hosted by Bloomberg after Musk recently traveled to Doha as part of Trump’s trip to Middle East last week. SpaceX and Starlink chiefs provided a brief response, and it became a battle over questions about how his business and political involvement had affected his business.
Moderator Mishal Hussain asked:
Musk replied: “Yes.”
Hussain pushed further: “Is there absolutely no doubt about that?”
Musk added, laughing: “If I was dead, I can’t be here yet.”
Tesla is facing intense pressure, as he worked with Trump as part of a self-explained government efficiency effort, particularly in a campaign to cut across the US federal government.
Asked if what he had faced had made him think again about his involvement in politics, Musk quieted, looking out of camera for a while before responding.
“I did what I had to do,” he said. “I have committed violence, but I am not the person who has committed massive violence against my company. Massive violence against me has been threatened.”
He added: “Don’t worry: we’re here for you.”
When asked about his political contributions, including at least $250 million to support Trump’s election, Musk said he would “much less in the future.”
“I think I did enough,” he said.
Musk was stopped by a Delaware judge after seeing Tesla’s salary package, which was once valued at $56 billion. Musk on Tuesday called Prime Minister Cataline St. Jude McCormick “activist cosplaying as a judge in Halloween costumes.”
However, he acknowledged that his Tesla salary was part of his consideration for staying with the automaker, but he wanted “good enough voting management” so he “can’t be kicked out by activist investors.”
“It’s not about money, it’s about rational control over the future of the company, especially if you’re building millions of potential billions of humanoid robots,” he added.
Original issue: May 20, 2025 10:09am EDT
