Sophie Thomas has been covering culture and style for many years. She lives in Southern California.
March 21 , 2025
Washington, DC - Tesla CEO Elon Musk addressed Congress on Friday, urging lawmakers to "hang onto their Tesla stock" amid recent market turbulence.
Musk, who has been serving as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Trump administration, made his appeal during a joint session of Congress. The speech came just a day after a surprise all-hands meeting with Tesla employees, where he made similar remarks.
"Esteemed members of Congress, I stand before you today not just as a public servant, but as the CEO of Tesla," Musk began. "I understand if you've been concerned about the recent stock performance, but I assure you, the future is brighter than it appears."
The billionaire entrepreneur went on to paint a picture of a future dominated by autonomous vehicles and advanced robotics, claiming that Tesla's true value has yet to be realized. "It's very difficult for people in the stock market to imagine a future where suddenly a 10 million vehicle fleet has five to 10 times the usefulness," Musk stated, echoing his comments from the previous night's employee meeting.
Musk's address to Congress comes at a time when Tesla's stock has plummeted more than 50% from its December highs. The company has faced numerous challenges, including declining sales in key markets, trade instabilities, and a backlash against Musk's involvement with the Trump administration.
The CEO also addressed the recent wave of protests and vandalism targeting Tesla vehicles and facilities. "If you read the news, it feels like armageddon," Musk said, mirroring his statements from the all-hands meeting. "I can't walk past a TV without seeing a Tesla on fire. What's going on?"
Musk's unusual appeal to Congress has raised eyebrows among political analysts and ethics watchdogs. Critics argue that his dual role as a government official and corporate leader presents a clear conflict of interest. Supporters, however, maintain that Musk's unique perspective brings valuable insights to both realms.
As the session concluded, Musk left lawmakers with a final thought: "What I'm saying is, hang on to your stock. The future of Tesla, and indeed of America, depends on it."
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