Tesla denies board search for Elon Musk’s successor; Trump tariffs to slash growth, says Bank of Japan – business live

TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:

"Tesla Chair Denies CEO Succession Search Amid Sales Decline; Bank of Japan Lowers Growth Forecast"

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TruthLens AI Summary

Tesla's chair, Robyn Denholm, has publicly dismissed claims that the company is in search of a successor for its CEO, Elon Musk. This denial follows a report from the Wall Street Journal suggesting that board members had reached out to executive search firms to initiate a formal process for identifying potential candidates to replace Musk. Denholm stated in a message posted on X, the social media platform owned by Musk, that the company remains 'highly confident' in Musk's ability to lead Tesla through its growth plans. She categorically refuted the assertion that the board had contacted recruitment firms, emphasizing the company's commitment to Musk's leadership amidst declining sales, which saw a 9% drop in the first quarter of 2025. The situation has been exacerbated by Musk's recent decision to reduce his focus on government affairs to dedicate more time to the car manufacturer, indicating a need for stronger performance in light of the company's financial challenges.

In a separate economic development, the Bank of Japan has revised its growth forecast for the country, attributing the downturn to the economic impact of tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump. The central bank has lowered its growth prediction for the fiscal year ending in March 2026 to 0.5%, a significant drop from the previously estimated 1.1%. Furthermore, projections for the subsequent fiscal year have also been adjusted downward from 1.0% to 0.7%. The Bank of Japan's inflation forecast suggests that consumer prices are expected to reach the target of 2% annual growth by the end of 2026, a decrease from the current rate of 3.6% as of March 2025. These adjustments reflect the ongoing challenges facing Japan's economy, particularly in light of external trade pressures and internal consumer spending dynamics.

TruthLens AI Analysis

The recent news coverage touches on significant developments within Tesla and the implications of economic forecasts from the Bank of Japan. The article highlights two main narratives: Elon Musk's continued leadership at Tesla amidst speculation about a successor, and the impact of Donald Trump's tariffs on Japan's economic growth.

Tesla's Leadership Stability

The article reports a denial from Tesla's chair, Robyn Denholm, regarding the search for a successor for Elon Musk. This denial follows a Wall Street Journal report suggesting that board members had contacted executive search firms to find Musk's replacement. The tension between Denholm's statement and the WSJ report raises questions about the stability of Musk's leadership, especially given the company's recent profit challenges and Musk's preoccupation with political matters. This could be a strategic move to reassure investors and stakeholders about the company's vision and direction, especially during a period of declining sales.

Economic Forecasts and Broader Implications

The Bank of Japan's revised economic growth forecasts, particularly in light of Trump's tariffs, signal potential slowdowns in the Japanese economy. The adjustments from 1.1% to 0.5% growth indicate a significant concern about external economic pressures. This information could influence market perceptions regarding Japan's economic stability and may lead investors to reevaluate their positions in related markets or stocks, particularly those with significant exposure to Japan.

Manipulative Elements and Public Perception

There's an underlying narrative intended to shape public perception regarding both Tesla's governance and Japan's economic health. The contrast between Denholm's denial and the WSJ report creates a sense of uncertainty, possibly to mask deeper issues within Tesla. The Bank of Japan's cautious stance on growth may be intended to prepare the public for challenging economic conditions, thus influencing consumer behavior and investment strategies.

Potential Market Reactions

The implications of this news could ripple through stock markets, particularly affecting Tesla's stock as investors weigh the potential for leadership changes. Companies operating in or heavily dependent on the Japanese market might also see fluctuations in their stock prices based on the Bank of Japan's forecasts.

Broader Economic and Political Context

The article connects to broader themes of geopolitical tensions and economic stability, particularly how U.S. policies can impact global markets. It reflects a current discourse on the balance of power in international trade and its consequences on economic forecasts.

Artificial Intelligence Influence

While it's not explicit whether AI was used in the creation of this article, the structured presentation and summarization of key points suggest the possibility. AI could have influenced the report's clarity and focus, particularly in emphasizing contrasting positions.

In summary, the credibility of this news report is somewhat questionable due to the discrepancies between different sources and the potential for underlying agendas. The implications for Tesla, the Japanese economy, and broader market sentiments could be significant, with the article likely aiming to influence public perception and investor behavior.

Unanalyzed Article Content

Good morning, and welcome to our live coverage of business, economics and financial markets.

Tesla’s chair has denied that the electric car company is looking for a replacement forElon Musk, after the billionaire spent several months focusing on servingDonald Trumpeven as the carmaker’s profits slumped.

The US manufacturer posted a statement on X, the social network owned by Musk, from chairRobyn Denholmsaying the company was “highly confident in his ability to continue executing on the exciting growth plan ahead”, and claiming a report on possible successors was “erroneous”.

It came after a report by the Wall Street Journal that said that “Board members reached out to several executive search firms to work on a formal process for finding Tesla’s next chief executive, according to people familiar with the discussions.” The report said that the board members contacted the search firms a month ago, amid turmoil in Washington.

After Tesla reported a 9% drop in sales in the first quarter of 2025, Musk announced that he wouldreduce his time leading the so-called Department of Government Efficiencyto focus on the carmaker.

Note a small but important discrepancy between Denholm’s denial and the WSJ report: Denholm said that it was “absolutely false” that the “Tesla board had contacted recruitment firms”. The WSJ report suggested that “board members” made the contacts.

Donald Trump’s tariff chaos will cut economic growth in Japan, the world’s fourth-largest economy, according to new forecasts from its central bank.

TheBank of Japancut its economic growth forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2026 to 0.5%, down from 1.1% projected three months ago. It also slashed its growth forecast to a 0.7% expansion for the following fiscal year from 1.0% in January, according to Reuters. The Bank said:

The bank’s inflation forecast suggested that consumer prices would hit its target of 2% annual growth towards the end of 2026, down from 3.6% in March 2025.

9:30am BST: UK consumer credit borrowing (March; previous: £1.36bn; consensus: £1.2bn)

9:30am BST: UK mortgage approvals (March; prev.: 65,481; cons.: 64,800)

9:30am BST: US initial jobless claims (March; prev.: 222,000; cons.: 224,000)

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Source: The Guardian