As speculation mounts over Elon Musk’s priorities, some investors are questioning whether the Tesla CEO is more focused on politics than steering his company.
Ross Gerber, president of Gerber Kawasaki Wealth and Investment Management, voiced concerns that Musk’s engagement with the incoming Trump administration might be taking precedence over his responsibilities at Tesla.
“[Elon Musk] is setting the direction and tone of the business and overseeing senior executives managing various projects. But in the traditional sense of running a company—like what [Nvidia CEO] Jensen Huang does—no, he’s not,” Gerber said during an interview on Yahoo Finance’s Catalysts.
Gerber added, “I think Tesla shareholders are more than aware that their CEO works for Donald Trump at this point.”
Musk’s political involvement and Tesla’s operations and growth trajectory
Musk’s alliance with President-elect Donald Trump has been evident for months, with the two publicly praising each other.
Reports suggest Musk has donated over $132 million to Trump’s and other Republican campaigns.
In return, Trump has appointed Musk to lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a role that has kept Musk frequently at Mar-a-Lago, engaging with world leaders and advising on national policies.
Musk recently played a key role in the heated debt ceiling debate, almost leading to a government shutdown.
While his political involvement grows, questions linger about how this might impact Tesla’s operations and growth trajectory.
Tesla stock performance
Despite these concerns, Tesla’s stock has shown resilience.
Shares surged by 74% since Election Day, significantly outperforming the S&P 500’s 5% gain.
Analysts believe Musk’s connection with Trump could position Tesla favorably, even as Trump plans to withdraw green energy incentives like the $7,500 EV credit introduced under the Biden administration.
Gerber, however, warned that 2025 could be a decisive year for Tesla.
With Musk preoccupied, the company’s newly assembled executive team—led by Senior Vice President Tom Zhu and CFO Vaibhav Taneja—must prove they can deliver on ambitious goals.
“It’s yet to be seen whether this team can prove themselves,” Gerber said.
“The old team at Tesla was very capable, but most were let go last year. The next 12 to 18 months will show whether the current leadership can justify Tesla’s high valuation.”
Will you pick Tesla stock in 2025?
Gerber, once a staunch Tesla supporter, has reduced his stake in the company due to concerns about valuation and Musk’s distractions.
Tesla now accounts for less than 2% of his firm’s portfolio.
According to Gerber, Tesla’s fair value is around $200 per share, significantly below its current levels.
Meanwhile, other Wall Street analysts remain bullish.
Nuveen Chief Investment Officer Saira Malik highlighted Tesla’s growth potential in the renewable energy space, calling Musk’s relationship with Trump a potential catalyst.
Wedbush analyst Dan Ives also maintained Tesla as his top pick for 2025, emphasizing the company’s autonomous vehicle ambitions, which he estimates could be worth $1 trillion.
While Musk’s political engagements may raise eyebrows, Tesla’s market performance and future innovations keep it in the spotlight.
However, with a new leadership team at the helm, 2025 could be a pivotal year to determine whether Tesla continues its dominance—or faces challenges amid shifting priorities.
The post Is Elon Musk working more for Trump and less for Tesla? appeared first on Invezz
