Shareholder Urges Tesla Board to Suspend Elon Musk for Endorsing Antisemitic Content
An investor urges Tesla's board to suspend Elon Musk for endorsing antisemitism on social media, sparking concerns about the CEO's actions and their impact on the electric vehicle company
The board of directors at Tesla should suspend Elon Musk for endorsing antisemitic views on social media, as suggested by an investor from the electric vehicle company. Jerry Braakman, President of First American Trust, believes that Teslas board needs to make it clear that Musk crossed a line when he agreed with an antisemitic post on X (formerly known as Twitter), which unjustly accuses Jewish communities of promoting "hatred against Whites."
Braakman stated, "While I support free speech, it is unacceptable for the CEO of a public company to spread hatred."
Several prominent brands, including Disney, NBCUniversal, and Warner Bros. Discovery, as well as CNN owner, ceased advertising on X, which is owned by Musk. Although the companies did not explicitly mention Musk's post, Media Matters reported that some of their advertisements appeared near antisemitic content on X.
Braakman stated that Tesla's board should temporarily suspend Musk for a period of 30 to 60 days and oblige him to undergo empathy training and/or therapy. "His wealth and expertise in technical and business matters cannot justify his remarks. It appears that these comments have only intensified the personal struggles he experiences. It is evident that he requires assistance," claimed Braakman.
Neither Tesla nor the companys chair, Robyn Denholm, were immediately available to comment.
Of course, Musk holds enormous sway over Tesla, which he co-founded.
In addition to being widely regarded as the most influential figure at Tesla, Musk holds a prominent position on the board of directors and holds the majority of individual shares. As of the end of March, Musk possessed a staggering 411 million shares, representing a significant 13% stake which is currently valued at around $96 billion. In contrast, First American, a company based in Santa Ana, Calif., holds a comparably minuscule stake of just 16,000 shares as of the end of September.
The Denholm-led Tesla board consists of James Murdoch, venture capitalist Ira Ehrenpreis, Kimbal Musk (Musk's younger brother), and Musk himself. Braakman stated that it is solely the board's responsibility to keep Musk accountable, but it is noteworthy that he enjoys a close relationship with many of them.
Several influential business leaders are voicing their support for Musk. Hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman, known for his criticism of universities' handling of antisemitism, recently stated that Musk is "not an antisemite."
The speed at which the world is prepared to criticize Musk for his impromptu remarks is impressive," Ackman stated in a post on X. "Although Musk is not flawless, the world has greatly benefitted from his presence."
