In a stunning reversal of opinion, Errol Musk — father of Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk — has stepped into the public eye to staunchly defend his son amid a storm of criticism, economic boycotts, and ongoing protests against Tesla Inc. In a week filled with media frenzy and plunging stock prices, the elder Musk’s voice adds a surprising dimension to the unfolding drama, especially given his own track record of criticizing Elon Musk’s personal choices.
Errol, who had previously lambasted his son’s parenting and lifestyle decisions on the Wide Awake podcast just two months ago, has now shifted his tone dramatically. In multiple interviews over the past week, he has defended Elon’s controversial involvement in a U.S. government efficiency program and even forecast a bullish turnaround for Tesla, boldly stating that the company’s stock will climb back to $600 per share, giving it a market capitalization of around $600 billion by the end of 2025.
With Tesla shares currently trading at $254, down nearly 9% in the past month, such confidence might seem misplaced. Yet for Errol Musk, this is more than financial speculation — it’s personal vindication.
Tesla has been embroiled in turmoil in recent weeks, primarily due to Elon Musk’s high-profile role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — a Trump-era federal body tasked with streamlining government spending. Musk’s leadership within DOGE has attracted both praise and intense backlash, with critics accusing him of undermining essential federal programs in the name of cost-cutting.
This political association has sparked widespread protests and consumer boycotts, particularly from environmentally conscious and left-leaning Tesla customers who once considered the brand a beacon of green innovation and social progress. Several Tesla dealerships across the United States have reported incidents of vandalism, including spray-painting, broken windows, and even arson.
Law enforcement agencies are currently investigating whether these acts are coordinated.
The unrest is taking a toll on Tesla’s bottom line. Despite continued innovation efforts — including recent updates to its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology and Cybertruck production ramp-up — Tesla’s stock has steadily declined. On Monday, shares closed at $259.16, down 1.67%, bringing the company’s one-month drop to nearly 9%.
It was against this turbulent backdrop that Errol Musk sat down for a rare interview with journalist Darren McCaffrey on Sky News, where he vehemently defended his son’s role in the U.S. government and Tesla’s long-term outlook.“These people protesting? They’re bums,” Errol said bluntly.“
Trying to destroy vehicles and hurt the company — it’s just plain silly. The media is hyping it up, making it seem like Elon is the villain. He’s not. He’s doing the right thing by cleaning up the mess.”
Errol dismissed the idea that Elon’s dual roles in DOGE and Tesla are spreading him too thin, noting that there are highly competent executives managing Tesla’s day-to-day operations.“
There’s a strong team at Tesla. Elon is focused on something vital — helping taxpayers. He’s not abandoning Tesla. He’s elevating it.”
Errol Musk’s remarks are especially striking given his earlier criticisms. In February, he criticized Elon’s parenting in an interview that quickly went viral. Speaking on Wide Awake, Errol described Elon’s home life as “too rich, too many nannies,” and claimed his grandchildren were raised with minimal direct parenting.“Each child had their own nanny,” he said. “And after the divorce? Six nannies on each side. It was a weird situation.”
The sudden shift from such deeply personal criticism to public support may surprise many observers, but some see a strategic motivation behind Errol’s pivot. With Tesla under siege and investors losing confidence, Errol’s support could be viewed as a calculated move to bolster public perception — especially among retail investors.
Whether his support is heartfelt or not, Errol’s voice is now part of the broader narrative around Tesla’s future — and Elon Musk’s legacy.
In another interview, this time on The Andrew Eborn Show, Errol took an even more unconventional stance by downplaying the impact of the protests altogether.
“Publicity. More publicity, free publicity,” he said. “Tesla thrives on attention. This is just another form of it.”This echoes Elon Musk’s own media strategy, which has long relied on viral moments, controversy, and headline dominance to maintain public interest — all while Tesla spends virtually nothing on traditional advertising.
Analysts are divided on whether this strategy still works in 2025, given the company’s increasingly complex political ties and its growing set of competitors, including Lucid Motors, Rivian, and global EV leaders like BYD and Volkswagen.
Errol Musk’s claim that Tesla stock will rebound to $600 per share — representing a more than 130% increase from current levels — has sparked intense debate among analysts.According to Benzinga’s proprietary Edge Rankings:
Tesla holds a momentum rating of 90.20%
It has a growth rating of 67.66%Additionally, consensus data from 29 analysts puts Tesla’s average price target at $309.55, with a high estimate of $550 from Wedbush and a low of just $24.86 from GLJ Research.
Recent analyst updates:
Wedbush (March 27): $550 target, citing strong FSD potential
Deutsche Bank (March 28): $450 target, cautious optimism
Stifel (March 31): $450 target, emphasizing Cybertruck delivery risks
