Elon Musk Commits to Working 24/7 at His Companies After Major X Outage Impacting Millions

Elon Musk has once again made it clear that his work ethic is unlike any other CEO in the tech and automotive world. Following a major service outage that affected tens of thousands of users on X (formerly Twitter) and highlighted vulnerabilities in the company’s infrastructure, Musk announced on Saturday that he will be dedicating himself “24/7” to his work across Tesla, SpaceX, and his latest venture xAI.

His dedication extends beyond normal business hours — he plans to literally eat and sleep alongside employees in conference rooms, server rooms, and factories, emphasizing his hands-on approach during a pivotal time for his companies.

“Back to spending 24/7 at work and sleeping in conference/server/factory rooms,” Musk posted on X. “I must be super focused on 𝕏/xAI and Tesla (plus Starship launch next week), as we have critical technologies rolling out.”

This declaration comes at a time when Musk’s leadership is under intense scrutiny, with multiple high-profile challenges across his business empire requiring his full attention.

Earlier this week, users experienced widespread disruptions on X after a fire broke out at a data center in Oregon. Musk publicly acknowledged that the outage revealed significant operational weaknesses. “The failover redundancy should have worked, but did not,” he admitted.

Such candidness is unusual for executives but reflects Musk’s commitment to transparency and his personal responsibility for technological setbacks.

The incident underscored the massive complexity behind running a global social platform and raised questions about infrastructure resilience. For Musk, the outage was a stark reminder that his companies must improve operational protocols to avoid similar failures in the future. It also adds pressure on him to oversee not just strategic visions but also day-to-day technical reliability.

For months, Musk has balanced his sprawling business empire with a high-profile government role. As head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—a special advisory role within the White House focused on cutting waste and improving federal operations—Musk has been pushing for sweeping budget cuts and efficiency reforms.

DOGE claims to have saved $160 billion by firing federal employees and canceling contracts, with a bold goal to cut $2 trillion from the U.S. budget.

Despite his claims of effectiveness, Musk recently told reporters he plans to reduce his commitment to DOGE. “I’m willing to contribute one to two days a week, coming to D.C. every other week for one to three days—indefinitely, as long as the president wants me to do that,” Musk said. “It’s largely a volunteer organization.”

He described the first 100 days of the administration as “very intense,” requiring full immersion to “map out the government in general” and understand the complexities of federal waste and fraud. Musk likened a new administration to a startup, requiring a period of rapid learning and team-building. Now, as the operation stabilizes, he feels he can shift his focus back to his companies, which he says “do need me.”

Tesla has faced recent financial headwinds, notably a slump in vehicle sales that has concerned investors and analysts alike. Musk himself has acknowledged the challenges but remains confident in Tesla’s long-term prospects, particularly with upcoming technological rollouts.

At an investor meeting last month, Musk said he would limit his time spent on government work starting in May, a decision driven by the need to address Tesla’s performance issues and refocus on innovation and production. His recommitment to Tesla and his other companies signals the urgency of the moment for the billionaire entrepreneur.

Musk’s announcement that he will be spending nearly all his time on-site, even sleeping in conference and factory rooms, is a reflection of his well-documented “workaholic” style. Unlike many executives who balance work and personal life with clear boundaries, Musk blurs the lines between his life and work to the extreme.

This approach is reminiscent of the early days of SpaceX and Tesla, where Musk’s physical presence and relentless drive were credited with pushing these startups into industry leaders. His willingness to share in the long hours alongside employees is designed to boost morale and signal that the company’s success depends on total commitment.

Musk’s focus is not only on solving immediate technical challenges but also on executing bold, futuristic projects. Tesla’s ongoing push toward full autonomy and AI integration, SpaceX’s upcoming Starship launch, and xAI’s efforts to advance artificial intelligence all represent high-stakes bets on transformative technologies.

The Starship launch next week, which Musk mentioned, is particularly critical. It symbolizes SpaceX’s ambitions to revolutionize space travel, with implications that extend beyond commercial success to national and global influence in space exploration.

Elon Musk’s leadership style is often described as a mix of visionary genius and operational intensity. His willingness to personally dive into the trenches—addressing technical outages, overseeing production, managing government reform efforts—demonstrates a hands-on approach rare among CEOs of his stature.

Yet, this approach carries risks, including potential burnout and overextension. Musk’s commitment to 24/7 work and living at the workplace speaks to his passion but also raises questions about sustainability and delegation.

Musk’s political involvement through DOGE and his outspoken views have provoked backlash from certain segments of the public, including protests targeting Tesla and other Musk ventures. This has complicated his public image and posed reputational risks for his companies.

Still, Musk’s decision to cut back his government role suggests an awareness of these challenges and a desire to refocus on his businesses without the distractions of political controversy.

As Musk recommits to a grueling work schedule, the tech and financial worlds will be watching closely. The coming months are crucial for Tesla’s turnaround, SpaceX’s space ambitions, and xAI’s development. Musk’s leadership will be tested not only by external challenges but also by his ability to manage an unprecedented workload and maintain the innovation engine that has defined his career.

In an era where tech CEOs often delegate heavily, Musk’s pledge to be physically present and operationally involved “24/7” is a bold statement of intent—and a reminder that the fate of his companies may well rest on the stamina and vision of one man.

Elon Musk’s decision to return to near-constant work mode highlights the immense pressures and ambitions driving one of the world’s most influential entrepreneurs. Whether this approach will yield the next wave of groundbreaking technology or push him to the limits remains to be seen, but for now, Musk is fully back in the driver’s seat, ready to push Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI toward their futures.