Tesla’s board isn’t messing around. According to the Wall Street Journal, they’ve tapped executive search firms as early as March 2025 to find a new CEO, signaling a potential end to Musk’s reign. The trigger? Musk’s growing obsession with politics, particularly his DOGE role in Trump’s White House, where he’s slashing federal budgets and stirring chaos. Musk’s political spending—millions on Trump’s 2024 campaign and support for far-right European figures—has sparked a backlash that’s hammering Tesla’s bottom line.

First-quarter 2025 was a bloodbath: profits crashed to $409 million, down 71% from $1.4 billion a year ago. Vehicle deliveries tanked 13%, with just 336,681 cars sold—the worst drop since 2022. Tesla’s stock has nosedived 40% since January, and the board’s fed upd. They’ve begged Musk to recommit to Tesla publicly, but his promise to scale back DOGE to “one or two days a week” starting May hasn’t calmed nerves. “The board’s sending a clear message: Tesla needs a full-time leader,” says Dan Ives, a Wedbush Securities analyst. On X, @vanguardintel nails it: “Tesla’s board scrambles as Musk plays Washington insider.”

How Musk’s Political Gambit Is Torching Tesla

Musk’s Washington adventure is more than a distraction—it’s a brand killer. As DOGE’s unofficial czar, he’s pushed aggressive layoffs and budget cuts, making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Tesla showrooms are now protest zones, with groups like “Tesla Takedown” boycotting the brand in cities like Berlin and Chicago over Musk’s Trump ties. Used Tesla prices are plummeting as owners ditch their cars, and sales have cratered in progressive markets like Norway and California.

Tesla’s core customers—eco-conscious, tech-savvy buyers—are jumping ship. “Musk’s gone from climate champion to Trump’s sidekick, and it’s alienating his base,” says Sarah Klein, a branding expert at NYU Stern. X posts echo the pain: @Ceo_Brandingmourns, “Tesla was a vibe, a movement. Now it’s Musk’s political baggage.” @realTuckFrumpe adds, “Musk’s White House stint is tanking Tesla’s soul.”

The global market isn’t helping. Chinese EV giants like BYD are outpacing Tesla, and Trump’s new tariffs threaten to disrupt the auto supply chain. Tesla’s own shareholder letter warns of “shifting political sentiment” and trade policies crushing demand. Musk’s admitted the hit, telling investors his political moves “probably” hurt Tesla, though he blames broader economic headwinds too.

The Board’s Tipping Point

Tesla’s board is done playing nice. Sources say they’re not just hunting for a CEO but also an independent director to curb Musk’s influence if he stays. The secrecy’s intense—Musk may not even know his job’s on the line. The board’s desperation stems from that 71% profit drop and a stock slide that’s wiped out nearly half Tesla’s value since December 2024. Investors are livid, flooding earnings calls with demands for Musk to ditch DOGE. One asked bluntly, “When will Elon focus on Tesla again?” His half-hearted pledge to cut back didn’t cut it.

Musk’s fans argue he’s still Tesla’s secret sauce. “No one matches Elon’s vision for AI and autonomy,” says Georg Ell, ex-Tesla Europe director. But critics like Adam Crisafulli of Vital Knowledge aren’t buying it: “Musk’s political circus has scarred Tesla’s brand. A new CEO might be the only fix.” Even Trump weighed in, telling the BBC Tesla will be “fine” once Musk refocuses, but hinted DOGE’s days for Musk are numbered.

The Brutal Numbers

Here’s the damage, straight-up:

• Profits: $409 million in Q1 2025, a 71% dive from $1.4 billion in Q1 2024.
• Deliveries: 336,681 vehicles, down 13%—Tesla’s worst slump since 2022.
• Stock: Plummeted 40% since January 2025, though up 5.3% after Musk’s DOGE pullback vow.
• Brand Hit: 20% sales drop in Europe, sharp declines in Norway, and protests at 30+ global showrooms
• These aren’t just stats—they’re alarm bells. Tesla’s warning about “political sentiment” and “trade policy risks” in its shareholder letter lays bare the crisis. Musk’s banking on new affordable models and a Robotaxi rollout by June 2025 to turn things around, but the clock’s ticking.

Voices from the Street

Tesla owners and fans are torn. In San Francisco, driver Priya Sharma told me, “I love my Model Y, but Musk’s politics make me cringe. I might sell.” In contrast, Austin-based investor Jake Torres says, “Elon’s a genius. Tesla will bounce back with or without him.” On X, @TeslaFanaticpleads, “Elon, ditch Trump and save Tesla!” while @MarketSkeptic counters, “Musk’s ego is Tesla’s downfall.”Employees are feeling the heat too. A leaked internal memo, cited on X by @TechInsider,reveals staff morale is “at an all-time low” amid layoffs and Musk’s absence. The vibe’s clear: Tesla’s magic is fading, and everyone’s watching the board’s next move.

What’s Next for Tesla’s Future?

Tesla’s at a fork in the road. The board’s CEO search is a bold bet, but replacing Musk is like swapping out the heart of a machine. Names like ex-PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi or Ford’s Jim Farley are buzzing on X, but no clear favorite’s emerged. An independent director could also shift power, giving the board leverage over Musk.

Musk’s promised to refocus on Tesla by May, trimming DOGE to a part-time role. But analysts warn the brand damage—especially among eco-conscious buyers—may be irreversible. “Tesla needs a leader who’s all-in, not a part-time politician,” says Klein. Trump’s cryptic assurance that Tesla will be “taken care of” adds intrigue, but it’s unclear if Musk’s exit from DOGE is truly imminent.

Tesla’s got big plans—new models, Robotaxi, and AI-driven growth—but BYD’s rise and tariff chaos loom large. On X, @EVTruthsums it up: “Tesla’s bleeding, and Musk’s in D.C. playing kingmaker. New CEO or bust?” The question is whether Tesla can reclaim its crown or if Musk’s political gamble has dimmed its spark for good.