Why Many CEOs Are Reluctant to Challenge Elon Musk, Even When They Want to

Elon Musk is a polarizing figure in the business world. Known for his unapologetic remarks and bold business moves, he has managed to drum up both support and opposition from business leaders and other billionaires. Despite Musk’s penchant for public incendiary statements or conduct, many powerful individuals are reticent to openly criticize him.

The reluctance to criticize Musk was evident at the DealBook Summit, where both Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase and Bob Iger of Disney offered measured praise for the man. Even Jeff Bezos, during an episode of Lex Fridman’s podcast, avoided overtly criticizing Musk. The caution stems from multiple factors, including intimidation, the need to uphold a professional demeanor, and fear of angering Musk or his vast following.

In addition to his reputation for being a provocative thought leader, Musk’s bottomless wealth, life experience, and the scale of his businesses also contribute to the reluctance of business leaders to critique him. Elon Musk possesses the unique ability to leverage his platform as the wealthiest man in the world, along with the support of his dedicated fans, making it potentially very costly for any public figure to criticize him.

While it would seem that CEOs of public companies should be more circumspect in their interactions with Musk, this situation remains a compelling subject of interest for many. The possibility of getting a candid interview segment about Musk is a golden opportunity for journalists, and it is expected that the trend of questioning business leaders about Musk will continue.

It is important to note that no official comments were provided for this story, Musk included. Nevertheless, an impartial view of Musk is seemingly unattainable as business leaders continue to weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks of engaging in open critique of his actions. Indeed, he is a figure who seems to compel responses, yet not without a slight tinge of apprehension. It is clear that circumstances will need to change significantly for open criticism of Musk to gain prominence.