Musk’s dual commitments—leading Tesla while serving as head of the Department of Government Efficiency in Donald Trump’s administration—have alarmed some investors.Tesla’s workforce was summoned to a late-night all-hands meeting on Thursday, with a cryptic invite promising insights into the company’s “recent achievements” and a glimpse at the future. The meeting, livestreamed on X, came as Tesla’s stock has plummeted more than 40% in 2025 and as questions mount over Musk’s ability to lead the company while juggling his government role.
Musk’s Rallying Cry: ‘Hang on to Your Stock’
Appearing in person at Tesla’s Texas Gigafactory, Musk reassured employees and investors that the company remains on a path of innovation and success.“The Tesla team is an incredible team, great human beings,” Musk declared. “Anyway, some of the finest people in the world work at Tesla, designing and manufacturing our incredible products.”
Acknowledging the company’s struggles, he urged patience. “Frankly, the car business is a tough business, so… there are times when there are rocky moments, like things are, like, a little bit of stormy weather. But what I’m here to tell you is the future is incredibly bright and exciting.”
“We’re going to do things that no one I think has even dreamed of,” he added. “Until we actually do it, people won’t believe how incredible it is.”
‘If You Read the News, It Feels Like Armageddon’
Musk addressed the recent attacks on Tesla, including reports of its vehicles being set on fire. “If you read the news, it feels like, you know, Armageddon,” he said. “I can’t walk past a TV without seeing a Tesla on fire. You’re like, ‘What’s going on?’”
Joking about the destruction of Tesla cars, he added, “Listen, I understand you don’t want to buy our product, but you don’t have to burn it down. That’s a bit unreasonable, you know?” He laughed, before adding, “This is psycho. Stop being psycho.”
Does Tesla Need a New CEO?
Musk’s dual commitments—leading Tesla while serving as head of the Department of Government Efficiency in Donald Trump’s administration—have alarmed some investors.Ross Gerber, an early Tesla investor, didn’t mince words. “He’s been committed to his job in the government, that’s where he’s spending his time,” Gerber told Sky News. “He is not running Tesla, and that’s why I’m going to say it: Tesla needs a new CEO.”
The Optimus and Cybercab Vision
Despite the controversies, Musk doubled down on Tesla’s long-term ambitions, highlighting the upcoming robotaxi and humanoid robots.
Tesla aims to produce 5,000 Optimus robots in 2025 and ramp up production to 50,000 by 2026. “Since it’s a totally new product, everything is totally new,” Musk admitted. “I will say we are succeeding if we get half of the 10,000. But even 5,000 robots—that’s the size of a Roman legion. I think we will literally build a legion, at least one legion of robots this year and then probably 10 legions next year.”
The Cybercab, Tesla’s planned autonomous ride-hailing vehicle, also took centre stage. “The Cybercab is not just a revolutionary car design, it’s also a revolutionary manufacturing process,” Musk explained. “In fact, the line will move so fast that actually, people can’t even get close to it. I think it’ll be able to produce a car, ultimately, in less than five seconds.”
Stock Woes and Market Reactions
Tesla’s stock performance in 2025 has been brutal, down 41.6% year-to-date, making it the worst-performing stock in the S&P 500. Analysts remain divided on the company’s future.
Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas cut Tesla’s price target from $430 to $410, citing declining vehicle deliveries. Meanwhile, Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives commended Musk’s decision to hold the all-hands meeting, writing, “Leaders lead in times of trouble and crisis, and Musk took a major and much-needed step forward.”
However, not all investors are convinced. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded Tesla to overweight, but Baird analysts maintained their “bearish fresh pick” designation following concerns about production slowdowns.
What’s Next for Tesla?
Musk is adamant that Tesla’s future remains bright, urging investors to hold onto their shares despite the volatility. But with calls for a new CEO growing louder and Tesla’s brand facing unprecedented challenges, the company’s path forward is anything but certain.
For now, Musk remains at the helm, balancing Tesla, his government role, and his self-proclaimed “17 jobs.” As he put it: “At this point, I just go to sleep, work, go to sleep, work, and then do that seven days a week, pretty much. People say, ‘When are you going on vacation?’ I say, ‘What’s that?’”
