In recent days, Elon Musk’s public persona has taken on a fiercer edge, as the Tesla and SpaceX CEO channels a growing sense of frustration and determination amid mounting pressures and criticism. Described by the Wall Street Journal as a man feeling unfairly treated, Musk’s simmering anger stems from a mixture of personal attacks, political controversies, and doubts cast on his leadership and vision.
Following a quiet and visibly disappointed departure from the White House, Musk has become particularly sensitive to being labeled with extreme accusations and having his political views weaponized against his companies. This long-standing “grudge” he carries—fueled by past wounds, underestimation, and relentless social media scrutiny—has, paradoxically, proven to be a source of immense power.
Like the Hulk tearing off his clothes in a fit of rage, Musk tends to be silent before exploding into action. These days, his eyes betray a fiery intensity, his vision burning red with anger.
This rage, some argue, might be exactly what Tesla investors need. An angry Elon Musk may be laser-focused on execution and proving the doubters wrong. A resolute Musk could accelerate humanity’s path to space and cement electric vehicles as the dominant future of transportation.
However, investors have long awaited tangible results, growing increasingly impatient with broken promises. Enthusiasts recall the grand ambitions of a low-cost Tesla model meant to sell 20 million units annually, yet these hopes appear abandoned.
The much-hyped Cybertruck has stumbled, and for the first time in over a decade, Tesla has reported shrinking profits alongside falling sales. These developments have stoked fears that Musk’s attention has drifted away, distracted by his political engagements in Washington, leaving even board members visibly uneasy.
Musk’s anger is no secret. Observers note that his “battle mode” is activated—his frustration with perceived unfair treatment fueling renewed vigor. During a recent video conference at a Qatar summit, Musk answered pointed questions with characteristic sharpness, confronting concerns about his companies’ performance head-on.
When pressed on when Tesla might turn around its fortunes, Musk declared bluntly, “It has already turned around.” The proof, he offered, was simple: stock prices. Since Musk announced on April 22 that he would reduce his government commitments, Tesla’s shares surged by 43 percent, momentarily pushing the electric automaker back above the trillion-dollar valuation threshold.
Yet, despite this rally, the stock remains down 11 percent year-to-date and 29 percent from its all-time high. Financial analysts have tempered optimism by projecting that Tesla’s vehicle sales will decline this year compared to 2024, reversing earlier expectations of growth.
Musk’s vision for Tesla’s future extends far beyond electric vehicles. He imagines a new era dominated by autonomous cars and humanoid robots. Over the past decade, Musk has consistently proclaimed that fully self-driving Teslas are imminent, despite competitors such as Alphabet’s Waymo and Amazon’s Zoox already deploying fully autonomous vehicles on public roads.
In a recent public appearance on CNBC, Musk reaffirmed that Tesla remains on track to launch robotaxis in Austin, Texas, by the end of June. The rollout would start with a small fleet of 10 vehicles, expanding by dozens weekly, potentially reaching a thousand cars within months. Musk predicted that by the end of the following year, hundreds of thousands, if not over a million, self-driving Teslas could be operational.
When questioned about his recent political efforts in Washington, Musk’s irritation surfaced. “Why criticize this when we have made so much progress?” he retorted. Despite staunchly defending the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiatives he led, Musk acknowledged he would gradually withdraw from the political arena after realizing Congress’s reluctance to embrace aggressive spending cuts.
He candidly stated on Twitter that promoting GDP growth is essential and praised DOGE’s role in delaying the day the U.S. faces a debt crisis. Musk argued that rampant government waste means only groundbreaking productivity gains can rescue the country. His ultimate solution: robotics.
The resurgence of “angry Elon” has energized supporters who recall the enthusiasm he exhibited nearly a year ago at Tesla’s annual shareholder meeting. Then, Musk’s exuberance—jumping on stage and passionately outlining a robot-filled future—signaled renewed focus after a period distracted by Twitter’s acquisition drama.
With his massive compensation package reaffirmed by shareholders, Musk painted a vibrant vision of Tesla’s potential, dominated by humanoid robots and autonomous vehicles. He believes this future could catapult Tesla’s valuation beyond $30 trillion.
Among investors and fans, hope is rekindled that the determined and fiery Elon Musk is poised to execute decisively. Social media voices describe Musk as being in “wartime CEO mode,” focused entirely on delivery rather than distractions. This battle-ready mindset could be the catalyst Tesla needs to regain momentum and fulfill its revolutionary promise.
Tesla’s inception was itself an audacious gamble: to make electric cars desirable and mainstream. For most of its existence, the company faced skepticism that it could ever succeed at this mission. Musk became the charismatic force convincing investors and consumers alike that the vision was not only possible but inevitable.
Execution transformed Tesla from a niche startup to a profitable giant, marking a turning point at the end of 2019 and through 2020. Musk solidified his status as one of the most successful entrepreneurs of his generation.
Nonetheless, past triumphs offer no guarantees for the future. Tesla’s global dominance in electric vehicles is increasingly challenged by rising competitors, especially from China’s BYD.
In a significant milestone last month, BYD surpassed Tesla in European sales for the first time. Musk, who has often praised Chinese rivals, downplays the significance of sales competition. On CNBC, he remarked, “I don’t really think much about competitors. I just focus on making the best possible products.”
The tension Musk faces is clear: the path forward demands delivering on bold promises while navigating intense competition, shifting markets, and political complexities.
The coming months and years will be a critical test of Musk’s ability to harness his anger productively and steer Tesla into a new era of growth and innovation. The stakes could not be higher, with Tesla’s valuation, market position, and Musk’s legacy hanging in the balance.
In summary, Elon Musk’s current anger and renewed focus signal a potentially transformative period for Tesla. His vow to lead the company into a $30 trillion valuation era beyond traditional electric cars reflects his unyielding ambition and vision.
While challenges abound—including competition from global rivals, political distractions, and execution risks—Musk’s resolve could reignite Tesla’s trajectory and reshape the future of transportation and robotics.