Tesla CEO Elon Musk made headlines with a striking statement during the company’s first-quarter earnings call: “If the ship of America goes down, Tesla will go with it.”
This comment came in response to Tesla’s disappointing financial performance, which saw a significant drop in profits and revenue, prompting widespread discussion across news outlets and social media platforms.
Tesla’s first-quarter results, announced on April 22, 2025, revealed a 9% decline in overall revenue and a 20% drop in automotive revenue compared to the previous year.
Most alarmingly, the company’s net income plummeted by 71% year-over-year, a figure that exceeded analysts’ expectations for decline.
According to Yahoo News, these results were attributed to a combination of factors, including market challenges and Musk’s polarizing public persona, which some reports suggest has driven potential customers away.
The Cool Down echoed this sentiment, noting that Musk’s involvement in U.S. politics, particularly his role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has led to boycotts by some consumers.
Analysts have pointed to Musk’s controversial statements and actions as a contributing factor to Tesla’s struggles.
Yahoo News reported that his leadership in DOGE, which has focused on reducing government spending and restructuring federal programs, has alienated segments of Tesla’s customer base.
The cuts to social programs and government jobs under DOGE have sparked criticism, with some linking Musk’s divided attention to Tesla’s declining performance.
In the earnings call, Musk addressed these challenges with a mix of defiance and optimism. His metaphor of America as a sinking ship tied Tesla’s fate to the broader economic and political stability of the United States.
“I think the right thing to do is fight the waste and fraud and try to get the country back on the right track,” said Musk on the earnings call, per CNN. “If the ship of America goes down, Tesla will go with it.”
He emphasized his commitment to reducing his time spent on DOGE, planning to limit it to one or two days a week starting in May 2025, to refocus on Tesla’s core operations.
Musk also outlined Tesla’s strategy to recover, including the launch of more affordable vehicle models by June 2025.
This announcement appeared to bolster investor confidence, as Tesla’s stock rose despite the grim financial report.
The Cool Down highlighted this development, suggesting that Musk’s pivot back to Tesla’s innovation-driven roots could stabilize the company.
