Elon Musk advocates for lower tariffs despite Trump's policies

On April 23, 2025, during an earnings call, Elon Musk reassured investors about his commitment to Tesla despite having spent considerable time engaged with government matters. Musk's comments came after Tesla's shares rallied, significantly increasing his net worth by $10 billion, following a quarterly earnings update that only mildly reassured stakeholders. Many had voiced concern over Musk's focused attention on politics and its potential negative effects on Tesla's brand image. Musk continues to balance his roles at Tesla, the Department of Government Efficiency, and other companies, asserting that he will dedicate a day or two each week to governmental affairs as long as requested by the President. Notably, Musk expressed disagreement with former President Donald Trump's tariffs, reinforcing his stance that lower tariffs are better for economic prosperity. Musk's financial support for Trump during the 2024 election cycle has drawn attention, as he emerged as the largest political donor for that election. The context surrounding Tesla's situation reflects broader concerns about the interplay between Musk's political activities and his commitments to the electric car manufacturer, particularly during a time when analysts maintained that Tesla's stability hinged on Musk's active involvement in its operations.