Hey there, tech lovers! Ready for some juicy Tesla news? Tesla’s board has reportedly started a secret search for a new leader, all while Elon Musk was busy wheeling around Washington. Let’s dive into this intriguing twist in the world of electric cars.

With protests heating up, sales taking a nosedive, and profits shrinking, the pressure on Tesla’s top brass has been mounting. According to a recent Wall Street Journal report, just about a month ago, the board quietly reached out to executive search firms, hinting that change might be on the horizon.

It seems the board members even sat down with Musk to voice their worries about his divided attention. They wanted him to commit publicly to spending more time focusing on Tesla. Musk didn’t put up a fight and assured investors he’d prioritize Tesla starting May. That’s some serious multitasking—balancing government work and running a billion-dollar automaker!

The timing couldn’t be trickier. Musk’s Washington endeavors coincided with Tesla’s first annual sales drop in more than ten years, tarnishing the brand’s charm for some customers, partly due to his political stances. These factors combined have seen Tesla’s market value plunge from a staggering $1.5 trillion at the end of last year to about $900 billion now.

Despite all this, Musk remains upbeat about Tesla’s future. Just last week, during the company’s earnings call, he candidly admitted a 71% drop in profits and a 9% decline in revenue but confidently told shareholders, “We’re not on the ragged edge of death— not even close.” The next chapter in Tesla’s leadership story is still a mystery, with it unclear if Musk even knows about the board’s quiet succession plans.