Tesla chair says Musk's political engagement Is up to him'

"What he does from a political perspective in terms of his political motivations is up to him, Denholm said in an interview with Bloomberg Television on Friday. From a politics perspective, obviously we're in a democracy, so everyone gets to voice their points of view. My view is over the long term people buy things that they really love. Tesla vehicles are things people really love, she added, noting that Musk is front and center at the carmaker after several months at the White House."

"Musk has been one of the most consequential political figures of the past two years, using his considerable wealth and his social media platform to boost efforts to get President Donald Trump elected in 2024. He was the single largest contributor to electioneering groups in that campaign, and he used his influence to convince Trump to create a Department of Government Efficiency and put him in charge of it, before a volatile and public falling out between the two billionaires."

"All of that political involvement weighed on the Tesla board's attempts to renegotiate a pay package with Musk that led to an unprecedented $1 trillion offer disclosed last week. Directors acknowledged Musk's high public profile and concerns politics could distract from his leadership, reporting that they sought assurances that Musk's involvement with the political sphere would wind down in a timely manner."

Robyn Denholm dismissed concerns that Elon Musk's political activity has depressed Tesla sales and said Musk may pursue his political motivations freely. She said consumers ultimately buy products they love. Musk spent months at the White House and used wealth and social media to support efforts to elect Donald Trump in 2024. He was the largest contributor to electioneering groups and later had a public falling out with Trump. Board directors said political involvement affected pay-package negotiations and sought assurances Musk would wind down political engagement around a disclosed $1 trillion offer.

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