Tesla investors want Elon Musk to answer questions about 'salute,' role in Trump White House
Tesla's fourth-quarter earnings report lands just over a week after President Donald Trump began his second term in the White House, with Elon Musk right by his side.
Now that the Tesla CEO is firmly planted in Washington, D.C., in a high-profile advisory role, shareholders in the electric vehicle maker have some questions.
On the forum Tesla uses to solicit investor inquiries in advance of its earnings calls, more than 100 poured in from shareholders about Musk's politics, including his official role at Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and his endorsement of far-right candidates.
"How much time does Elon Musk devote to growing Tesla, solving product issues, and driving shareholder value vs. his public engagements with Trump, DOGE, and political activities?" one retail investor asked, adding, "Do you believe he's providing Tesla the focus it needs?"
In addition to contributing $270 million to help Trump and other Republican candidates and causes, Musk spent weeks on the campaign trail during the fourth quarter working to propel Trump back into the White House. After Trump's election victory, Musk then spent considerable time far away from Tesla's factory floor at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
One of the top-voted questions about Musk asked how much time he intends to spend "at the White House and on government activities vs time and effort dedicated to Tesla."
Musk and Tesla didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
Musk has also involved himself in German politics, giving a full-throated endorsement of the country's far-right, anti-immigrant party AfD (Alternative für Deutschland) in December ahead of the February election.
According to research and consulting firm Brand Finance, the value