Tesla, X, SpaceX: Elon Musk Embarks On A XXL Survival Operation

From the start, Trump and Musk seemed to form a winning duo. However, the reality of Elon Musk’s business quickly revealed difficulties. Tesla is in free fall, X is lagging behind, and Musk must return to basics. He is once again investing intensely in his factories, hoping to revive a weakened industrial economy. Between crises and digital ambitions, he must face major challenges to steer the course back on track.

Musk Takes Radical Measures in Face of Tesla’s Plummeting Decline

Tesla is going through a deep crisis. In Europe, its sales fell by 52.6% in April 2025. Even French companies have begun abandoning this American giant’s electric cars. In the first four months of the year, the decline reaches 46.1% (41,677 vehicles sold versus 77,314). Tesla’s market share drops to 1.1%, compared to 2.4% a year earlier. The Model Y, once an undisputed leader, is now ninth in Europe.

Meanwhile, the European electric vehicle market is growing by 26.4% year over year. Chinese manufacturers, such as BYD and MG, are achieving an impressive growth of 59%. Historical competitors are adapting their strategies, innovating, and localizing production. Tesla, stuck in its past achievements, struggles to keep up with this pace.

Faced with this situation, Musk announced an intense return to work:

I have to be very focused on X and Tesla… sleeping in conference rooms, servers, and factories.

This radical decision reflects the urgency to restore Tesla’s economy. The board of directors is even considering a reshuffle, so worrying is the situation.

X Money: Musk’s Hope to Revolutionize Payments and Revive the Digital Economy

Alongside Tesla, Elon Musk is banking on X and its payment service X Money to revitalize his digital ventures. This service, developed in partnership with Visa, will soon be available in beta version. It aims to provide a peer-to-peer payment solution, leveraging blockchain to reduce costs and facilitate transactions.

With more than 600 million potential users, X could integrate decentralized finance into everyday life. The platform also plans features like tipping creators, enhancing financial interactivity.

Nevertheless, success will depend on regulation and security, two key factors to establish user trust.

This initiative comes as X suffered a major outage at the end of May, symbolizing the fragility of this rapidly developing digital empire. Musk must also ensure the turnaround of his other companies, notably SpaceX, to consolidate his economic empire.

Musk Leaves DOGE, but Criticism Flows: Between Failures and Economic Controversies

Elon Musk announced his departure from the Government Efficiency Department (DOGE) several days before the legal deadline of May 28, 2025. This deadline would have forced Musk to comply with strict transparency rules which he chose to avoid. Despite public ambitions, results are disappointing. Musk promised to save one trillion dollars, but only 150 billion were announced, including 61.5 billion precisely documented.

The sudden closure of some programs, like USAID, caused an outcry. Bill Gates accused him of “killing poor children” because of these cuts. Many criticisms highlight the lack of transparency and point to conflicts of interest, as Musk holds significant public contracts.

Musk, for his part, preferred to refocus on his private companies, affirming he works “24 hours a day ” and sleeps in his factories and conference rooms. His government stint turned into a political and media fiasco, worsened by protests and a tense atmosphere. Public economy suffers the consequences of management deemed too harsh, while Musk tries to revive his industrial and digital empire.

A few key points to remember:

• Tesla sales fall by 52.6% in Europe in April 2025;
• European electric vehicle market grows by 26.4%;
• Chinese manufacturers (BYD, MG, Xpeng) grow 59%;
• Musk promised 1 trillion in savings via DOGE, only 150 billion announced;
• X Money targets over 600 million users thanks to crypto integration.

Elon Musk recently left the DOGE department, redirecting his attention to Tesla and X amid a major crisis. Tesla sales are sharply falling, fueling speculation about a possible departure. Nevertheless, Musk seems determined to save his industrial empire, but Tesla’s future remains uncertain in this turbulent context.