As Tesla profits plunge 71%, Elon Musk says he'll spend less time on DOGE
NPR Online NewsMAY 1
Musk to Scale Back White House Role as Tesla Profits Plunge
Above: The logo of Tesla, Inc. is displayed on a smartphone screen, with the company's branding in the background, on April 20, 2025, in Chongqing, China. Image copyright: Cheng Xin/Contributor/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
Elon Musk is Tesla’s greatest liability. The stock’s wild swings, outsized valuation, and collapsing credibility mirror his erratic focus. While sales fall and products age, Musk chases politics and Martian dreams. Investors bet on his genius; now they’re paying for his distraction. Tesla isn’t floundering because of the competition — it’s floundering because its CEO left the driver’s seat.
Narrative B
Elon Musk's distraction with DOGE is not the root of Tesla’s problems — it's merely a symptom. Tesla’s woes stem from aging models, fierce Chinese competition, and Musk’s polarizing politics. Blaming his DOGE role is a red herring; the real damage began when Musk morphed from visionary to provocateur, eroding brand trust and alienating core customers long before any federal title was tacked to his name.