Elon Musk’s companies have seen a notable turnover of senior executives over the past year, as his demanding leadership style and outspoken political views appear to be testing the loyalty of top staff.
Tesla, long considered the most stable part of Musk’s empire, has lost senior figures from its sales, battery, and powertrain divisions, as well as its chief information officer and members of the AI and robotics teams central to future growth. The departures followed Tesla’s decision to cut 14,000 jobs last year and redirect investment away from electric vehicle and battery expansion, prioritising robotics and autonomous driving.
Musk’s artificial intelligence start-up, xAI, has faced even greater instability. Its general counsel and chief financial officer both resigned within weeks of each other, following the earlier exit of X’s chief executive Linda Yaccarino. Former CFO Mike Liberatore noted on LinkedIn that he had worked over 120 hours a week during his short three-month tenure before moving to OpenAI.
The turbulence is not only operational. Some insiders have expressed discomfort with Musk’s vocal support of Donald Trump and right-wing figures in the US and Europe, adding that his views are creating difficult conversations at home and straining workplace morale.
While many executives frame their exits as opportunities for fresh ventures or breaks after long service, others describe disillusionment and burnout from Musk’s relentless work culture and frequent restructuring.
Despite the challenges, Tesla chair Robyn Denholm maintains that the company continues to attract strong talent. Still, critics argue that Musk’s behaviour is increasingly affecting recruitment, retention, and the overall mission of his companies.
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