Will you stay CEO of Tesla?

Q617 answers2017-2026
Short answer

He said he needs sufficient voting control in the companies to still be in charge. His so-called wealth is a percentage ownership in SpaceX and Tesla, it will be taxed quite heavily, and a few generations from now — if money still matters, which he does not think it will — his descendants would have a tiny fraction…

From his 2026-10 answer in Elon Musk: "Humans Won't Be in Control" When AI Becomes Smarter Than Us. Summary is ours; see the quotes below.

All 7 answers, oldest to newest

🎙 Interview · 2017-04 · The future we're building -- and boring | Elon Musk · asked by Chris Anderson · watch at 13:16 · transcript ·
He intends to stay with Tesla as far into the future as he can imagine; Model 3 and the Semi were coming.
"I intend to stay with Tesla as far into the future as I can imagine"
🎙 Interview · 2017-04 · TED 2017 with Chris Anderson · asked by Chris Anderson (TED) · watch at 13:10 · transcript ·
He said he intends to stay with Tesla as far into the future as he can imagine.
"I intend to stay with Tesla as far into the future as I can imagine"
🎙 Interview · 2023-04-19 · Tesla Q1 2023 earnings call (2023) · asked by Tesla Investor Relations · watch at 30:48 · transcript ·
He says these are uncertain times and he would like to borrow anyone's crystal ball.
"if somebody's got a crystal ball they can lend me, I'd really like to borrow it."
🎙 Interview · 2023-12-21 · X Spaces with Cathie Wood (ARK Invest) (2023) · asked by Cathie Wood · watch at 38:39 · transcript ·
He says a public company requires more management time than a private one.
"there's more time that's required to manage a public company than a private company."
🎙 Interview · 2024-04-23 · Tesla Q1 2024 earnings call (2024) · asked by Tesla Investor Relations · watch at 40:55 · transcript ·
He says Tesla would solve vehicle autonomy even without him, but he would be more reticent about Optimus.
"even if I got kidnapped by aliens tomorrow, Tesla will solve autonomy."
🎙 Interview · 2025-05 · FULL: Elon Musk Live from the Qatar Economic Forum | Elon, Inc. · asked by Michelle Hussein (Bloomberg) · watch at 6:31 · transcript ·
He said it is not independent of pay; what matters is enough voting control that activists cannot oust him, especially if Tesla builds millions or billions of humanoid robots.
"sufficient voting control such that um I cannot be ousted by activist investors is what matters to me"
🎙 Interview · 2026-10 · Elon Musk: "Humans Won't Be in Control" When AI Becomes Smarter Than Us · asked by Walter Isaacson · watch at 22:06 · transcript ·
He said he needs sufficient voting control in the companies to still be in charge. His so-called wealth is a percentage ownership in SpaceX and Tesla, it will be taxed quite heavily, and a few generations from now — if money still matters, which he does not think it will — his descendants would have a tiny fraction of what he has.
"I like I need to have sufficient voting control in the companies to you know still be in charge."

Last updated: 2026-10 (newest answer).

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