Kirsten Grind, a tech investigations reporter at The New York Times, joins Tim Higgins, author of "Power Play," and Becky Peterson, a Tesla reporter for The Information, to dissect Elon Musk's tumultuous landscape. They delve into Tesla's crisis of executive departures and Musk's polarizing social media influence, particularly his ties with right-wing leaders. The conversation raises urgent questions about the future of Musk's ventures, his leadership style, and the potential implications for corporate governance amidst growing scrutiny.
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Tesla's Uncertain Future
Tesla's success as an electric car maker is undeniable, changing the industry.
However, its future direction is uncertain, between cars, robots, and AI.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Tesla Executive Exodus
Three top Tesla executives resigned in two weeks, including longtime VP Drew Baglino.
This departure, along with others, raises concerns about Tesla's leadership.
insights INSIGHT
Supercharger Team Shake-Up
Elon Musk fired Tesla's supercharger team despite its success and strategic importance.
He later rehired some, possibly recognizing the mistake, but the strategy remains unclear.
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Power Play is a comprehensive narrative that chronicles Tesla's journey from a small startup to a global electric car giant. The book, written by Tim Higgins, delves into the complexities of Elon Musk's leadership, highlighting his determination, vision, and controversial management style. It includes stories from numerous sources, including interviews with current and former Tesla executives, and provides insight into the company's technological innovations, financial struggles, and the interpersonal dynamics that shaped its history. The book also addresses the controversies surrounding Musk's interactions, such as the disputed anecdote about a conversation with Apple's Tim Cook, and offers a balanced view of Tesla's meteoric rise and the challenges it faced along the way.
Tesla is bleeding execs, and it appears to be reaching a crisis point; over at Twitter/X, new reporting shows that Elon uses the platform to cozy up to right-wing leaders around the world and then presses them to enact policies that benefit to his companies; and while SpaceX continues to dominate in space, serious questions remain about the Pentagon’s reliance on the mercurial industrialist with a seeming soft spot for Putin and Xi. So it’s time to gather three of the best reporters covering Musk and get their take on all things Elon.
Kirsten Grind recently joined The New York Times as a tech investigations reporter. Previously, she was at The Wall Street Journal, where she reported on Elon’s drug use and the shockingly acquiescent Tesla board. Tim Higgins is the author of Power Play, Tesla, Elon Musk, and the Bet of the Century, and he writes a weekly column at The Wall Street Journal that is mostly about Elon Musk. And Becky Peterson covers Tesla, SpaceX, and all things Elon at The Information, where she consistently publishes scoops on the inner workings of Elon’s companies.
Questions? Comments? Email us at on@voxmedia.com or find Kara on Instagram/Threads as @karaswisher
On with Kara Swisher 
