Tesla, Inc. (TSLA.US) Bull market pulls the alarm again: Musk needs to leave DOGE.

Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives once again sounded the alarm for Tesla, Inc. (TSLA.US), warning that CEO Elon Musk is facing challenges as the electric car manufacturer prepares to announce its first-quarter results on Tuesday. Ives said in a report on Sunday, "Elon Musk needs to step away from the Trump administration, significantly reduce his involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and resume full-time duties as CEO of Tesla, Inc. Tesla, Inc. is Musk, and Musk is Tesla, Inc.... Anyone who thinks the damage Musk has caused to the brand is not real... should talk to car buyers in America, Europe, and Asia... You will have a different perspective after those conversations." Two weeks ago, Ives lowered Tesla, Inc.'s price target by 43%, citing the brand crisis triggered by Musk's and President Donald Trump's trade policies. Ives' biggest concern is that Tesla, Inc. may be dragged into China's retaliatory measures against Trump's tariffs. The company generated over one-fifth of its revenue from the Chinese market last year. Additionally, Musk has become a spokesperson for Trump's cuts to federal government spending, angering Tesla, Inc.'s key customer base - progressive consumers in the U.S. Ives stated on Sunday, "Unfortunately, Tesla, Inc. has become a global political symbol of the Trump administration/U.S. government." He then listed several key points: Tesla, Inc.'s stock price has plummeted since Trump took office, the company's first-quarter delivery data is dismal, and protests against Tesla, Inc. continue. Ives said, "Due to the brand damage caused by Musk and DOGE, Tesla, Inc.'s future demand may permanently decrease by 15% - 20%." Since January 17, Tesla, Inc.'s stock price has dropped by 43%. When the company announces its financial results on Tuesday, it will face many challenges, including 2025 sales targets, progress in autonomous driving, network planning for autonomous taxis, and how tariffs will impact profitability. Musk's role in the White House casts a shadow over Tesla's future. Ives said he still remains bullish on Tesla, Inc., maintaining an "outperform" rating and calling it "one of the most disruptive tech companies globally in the next few years." However, he emphasized that Tesla, Inc. needs its "most important asset" - Musk - to return full-time to the company. Ives said, "We believe this is a crossroads: If Musk leaves the White House, Tesla, Inc.'s brand image will suffer permanent damage, but Tesla, Inc.'s most important asset and strategic visionary will return, as a full-time CEO. If Musk chooses to stay in the Trump administration, this may change Tesla, Inc.'s future/brand image will be further damaged."