tsla: Elon Musk's net worth dips by $14 Billion in a single day, Here's what investors are saying

Economic Times

6 days ago

Wall Street Grows Wary of Musk's Political Maneuvers
Elon Musk Net Worth Takes a Major Hit
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Tesla's Sales and Shareholder Confidence Slipping
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Musk-Trump Rift Adds Fuel to the Fire
The America Party: Strategic Move or Political Overreach?
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Musk Political Party Yet to Find Favor Among Investors
FAQs
Why did Elon Musk lose $14 billion in a single day?
What is the 'America Party'?
Tech billionaire Elon Musk, known for his sweeping influence in both the corporate and political arenas, suffered a sharp blow to his personal wealth and business standing on Monday. With Tesla shares tumbling 7 per cent, Musk's net worth fell by approximately $14 billion in a single day—an erosion tied closely to Wall Street's growing unease over his escalating political engagement.The drop follows Musk's announcement of a new political outfit, the 'America Party,' and his increasingly public rift with U.S. President Donald Trump, a development that analysts say has distracted from Tesla's core business performance, as per a report by Forbes.The announcement of Musk's political venture comes at a time of volatility in the electric vehicle (EV) sector and heightened scrutiny of regulatory frameworks under the Trump administration. In a client note issued Monday, William Blair analyst Jed Dorsheimer downgraded Tesla stock from 'Buy' to 'Hold,' citing what he called a 'less favourable federal regulatory credit environment' resulting from recent legislation.'Investors are growing tired of the distraction,' Dorsheimer wrote, referring to Musk's increasing political theatrics and public feuds. The sentiment was echoed across trading desks, with Tesla's shares plunging by $24 apiece during an otherwise uneventful day for the broader market.With Tesla's market value taking a dip, Musk's personal wealth—which remains the largest in the world—now stands at $391 billion, down from $405 billion the previous day, according to Forbes estimates. Despite the decline, he still maintains a commanding lead of over $100 billion compared to the next richest individual.The net worth slide comes amid a 32% drop in Tesla stock since President Trump's second term began—a stark contrast to the 4% gain logged by the S&P 500 benchmark in the same period.Tesla's struggle is not confined to the stock market. Analysts at J.P. Morgan reported Monday that the company is headed toward its worst annual vehicle delivery numbers since 2022. Data from the first two quarters of 2025 reveal significant declines in deliveries, attributed in part to waning public sentiment towards Musk himself.Recent polling data compiled by Silver Bulletin indicates that 55% of Americans now hold an unfavourable view of Musk, up from 45% at the end of last year. The souring of opinion spans party lines—Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike have all expressed declining confidence in the Tesla CEO, as per a report by Forbes.'The concern isn't just political,' noted Wedbush analyst Dan Ives, a long-time supporter of Tesla stock. 'Musk diving deeper into politics and now trying to take on the Beltway establishment is exactly the opposite direction that Tesla investors and shareholders want him to take.'Initially viewed as a strategic alliance between two high-profile power players, the Musk-Trump relationship has deteriorated rapidly over the past few weeks. Musk reportedly contributed $288 million toward Trump's re-election campaign last year, positioning himself as a key political ally.However, their alignment began to unravel following disagreements over Trump's recently signed fiscal package, which the Congressional Budget Office warns could expand the national debt by $3.4 trillion. Their feud reached a public climax last week when Trump labelled Musk a 'TRAIN WRECK' in a scathing post, while Musk retaliated by accusing the Trump administration of misrepresenting the controversial Epstein Files—a post he later deleted.Musk's launch of the 'America Party' is seen by some observers as an effort to channel public dissatisfaction into political capital. However, financial markets appear unconvinced, interpreting the move as a distraction from Tesla's operational priorities at a time when competition in the EV market is intensifying.In a twist of irony, Musk's losses on Monday—nearly $14 billion—were nearly equivalent to the total market capitalization of Rivian, Tesla's closest American rival in the EV space.As Musk doubles down on political ambition, industry watchers and financial analysts are raising alarms over the implications for Tesla's long-term trajectory. With analysts now sounding cautionary notes and shareholders increasingly vocal in their discontent, questions remain about how Musk plans to balance corporate leadership with his emerging political aspirations.While the 'America Party' may yet shape U.S. political dynamics, its immediate impact on investor sentiment has been unambiguously negative. For now, the market message is clear: stakeholders would prefer the world's richest man to steer clear of Capitol Hill and return focus to the factory floor.Musk's personal wealth dropped by approximately $14 billion on Monday, July 7, 2025, after Tesla shares fell by 7%. This sharp decline is tied to investor concerns over Musk's growing political involvement, particularly the launch of his new political outfit, the 'America Party.'The 'America Party' is a new political movement launched by Elon Musk. Although full details remain limited, it appears to be Musk's attempt to influence U.S. politics independently, diverging from traditional party lines and challenging political norms—an effort many investors view as a distraction from his business priorities.