Tesla Chairwoman Sells $33M TSLA Stock Amid Scrutiny on Musk's Leadership

Tesla’s board chair, Robyn Denholm, sold another $33 million worth of Tesla stock. That alone might not raise eyebrows—executives sell shares all the time—but the timing and pattern of these sales paint a concerning picture amid the Scrutiny on Musk’s Leadership.

With Tesla facing mounting competition, production slowdowns, and an unpredictable CEO, some investors are starting to wonder: Why are top insiders cashing out if the future is as bright as Musk claims?

Power, Payouts, and a Board That Stays Quiet

Denholm, technically the most powerful figure overseeing Elon Musk at Tesla, has been selling shares at every opportunity. Despite Musk owning just 13% of the company, he calls the shots—and the board rarely pushes back.

Last year, this dynamic came under scrutiny when a judge struck down Musk’s jaw-dropping $55 billion pay package, ruling that Tesla’s board had been far too generous. Some members were even forced to return parts of their compensation due to shareholder lawsuits.

Yet, rather than signaling change, the board’s silence continues. And Denholm? She’s been steadily selling off her shares.

An SEC filing now reveals that she offloaded 112,390 shares through Merrill Lynch, bringing her total sales past $100 million in three months. Just last month, she sold another $43 million in stock.

She’s not alone. Other Tesla insiders, including Musk’s brother Kimbal Musk, and CFO Vaibhav Taneja, have also been selling shares—often right before price drops.

If Tesla’s Future Is So Bright, Why Are Insiders Cashing Out?

These stock sales come as Tesla faces real challenges:

Falling EV demand – Global interest in electric vehicles isn’t growing as fast as before.
Aging lineup – Tesla’s best-selling models are years old, and competitors are catching up fast.
Cybertruck delays & mixed reviews – Once a symbol of Tesla’s bold vision, its rollout hasn’t been smooth.

Meanwhile, Musk remains preoccupied with his other ventures—like X (formerly Twitter), AI projects, and his never-ending quest to redefine everything from social media to space travel.

At the same time, automakers like Rivian, Lucid, Ford, and GM are making major strides in EV technology, offering better build quality, advanced software, and fresh designs.

Leadership Concerns Are Mounting

Tesla was once the undisputed leader in EVs. Its CEO’s unpredictability, controversial statements, and divided focus have cast doubt on the company’s long-term strategy.

And the fact that key executives keep cashing out rather than doubling down? That only adds fuel to the fire.