“You’ll die.” Elon Musk gave this eerie warning to mankind at Tesla’s Q4 and full-year 2024 earnings call. His warning might have left a few of you more than a little confused. No, Musk did not turn into some prophet predicting our doomsday, but he did declare “your family’s life might depend on” having solar. His statement is seen as quite contradictory, as he has been known to advocate government campaigns against renewable energy, especially solar. His statement might also have something to do with Tesla buying SolarCity.
The tale of Elon Musk and SolarCity
In 2021, Elon Musk was caught up in what was supposed to be a two-week trial. Musk was being sued for allegedly “forcing” Tesla members to proceed with buying out SolarCity in 2016. The acquisition of the failing rooftop solar panel provider cost Tesla more than $US2 billion. Musk persisted that he did not “sway” the board members to buy the company to rescue another firm under his control.
“I try very hard not to be the CEO of Tesla, but I have to or frankly Tesla is going to die.” Elon Musk, Tesla CEO since 2008.
He seems to be quite fond of that expression, doesn’t he? In 2016, Musk was the chair and the largest shareholder of Tesla at the time of purchase. Plaintiffs argued he used his monumental influence and reputation to steamroll Tesla’s directors into approving the purchase and to manipulate a majority of shareholders to vote for it. Musk merely scoffed at the idea.
Only Musk alone might know the true purpose behind the acquisition of SolarCity. We think it involves why he campaigns for Tesla’s rooftop solar energy.
Musk’s eerie warning to mankind about solar energy
During Tesla’s Q4 and full-year 2024 earnings call, one of the investors questioned Tesla’s pursuit of growing its solar roof. Tesla’s solar roof was made public in 2016. Since then, none of the expectations have been met. Tesla highlighted that the solar roof and the Powerwall remain essential to its residential product portfolio.
” And if you combine it with the Tesla Powerwall battery, then you can be self sufficient, so that even if the grid turns off – even if the grid turns off for several days – your house still works. So it’s like, I recommend anyone who can afford it, get Tesla’s solar roof and Powerwall, your family’s life might depend on it.” – Musk.
Some have translated the portion, “your family’s life might depend on it,” into “you’ll die without a solar roof.” While some might think it over-dramatic, there is some truth, especially for regions often plagued by ever-increasing natural disasters. In such events, solar energy and batteries are lifesaving for those residents. However, is Musk leveraging fear to sell his “premium products” at an even more expensive price? Very manipulative, considering he is part of the government’s anti-solar actions.
Musk forevermore remains an enigma
Elon Musk campaigned for Donald Trump in 2024, despite Trump being transparent about his intentions to harm solar energy, the fastest-growing renewable energy source in the US. Trump favors fossil fuel energies, despite solar energy being cheaper and cleaner than fossil fuels. Trump appointed Musk to the Department of Government Efficiency, which made him part of the anti-solar actions.
Musk and his advisory panel might not have been directly connected to the anti-solar actions, however, the proposal to freeze federal funding is related to his department, meaning he might have had input into the idea. It seems Musk might now be caught between the barrel and the gun.
Whatever Musk’s true intentions may be, he remains an enigma, yet as cunning as always. Just know that his eerie warning to mankind is most likely a lesser evil opposed to what’s to come to the world.