• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Surging Treasury yields expose a brutal truth: America has no margin for error on its $39 trillion debt

2

U.S. says deals with Iran for safe Hormuz transit are prohibited

3

After a judge ordered Trump's name be removed from the Kennedy Center, president says it will 'soon be closed, probably never to open again'

1

Surging Treasury yields expose a brutal truth: America has no margin for error on its $39 trillion debt

2

U.S. says deals with Iran for safe Hormuz transit are prohibited

3

After a judge ordered Trump's name be removed from the Kennedy Center, president says it will 'soon be closed, probably never to open again'
TechTech

Tesla shares plummet as investors worry Twitter will be a huge distraction for Elon Musk

By
Chloe Taylor
Chloe Taylor
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Chloe Taylor
Chloe Taylor
Down Arrow Button Icon
April 26, 2022, 11:28 AM ET

Elon Musk’s $44 billion deal to buy Twitter has raised a number of questions, with investors seemingly spooked by the billionaire entrepreneur’s addition of another company to his eclectic assortment of projects.

It is unclear whether Musk plans to bring someone in to run Twitter, but his foray into the social media sector comes as he already leads four companies: Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and the Boring Company.

Musk has stated intentions to take Twitter private once his takeover of the firm is complete, saying that he wants to make the social network “a platform for free speech”—and suggesting he would have at least some input on how the company is run.

But after the deal was confirmed on Monday, Tesla shares plummeted, suggesting apprehension among investors as uncertainty remains about how much time Musk might devote to Twitter once his takeover of the company is complete.

Zoe Gillespie, an investment manager at Brewin Dolphin, said the drop in Tesla share prices was a reflection of investors’ concern about Musk’s presence at the electric vehicle firm being diluted.

“I think investors [wonder] whether the depth of the Tesla board’s going to be potentially dragged into Twitter,” she told Fortune. “Whether it’s just a short-term thing until the lay of the land is determined, the market hasn’t viewed it positively because I think there are questions around whether the deal could impact on top [Tesla] executives as well, and whether the focus will still be on Tesla.”

Mike Rhodes, CEO and founder of London-based consultancy firm ConsultMyApp, told Fortune on Tuesday that Twitter the deal could “prove to be a bridge too far” for Musk.

“The projects he has on the go both at Tesla and SpaceX can hardly be seen as unambitious tasks that require little more than passive management,” he told Fortune on Tuesday. “Jumping onto yet another challenging expedition, one can only assume that some of the earlier energy he injected into those firms will be lost in the process.”

Rhodes added that Tesla and SpaceX may lose some of Musk’s “pizzazz” if he chooses to focus more on his new venture, which he speculated could ultimately result in lower performance or falling share prices.

Tesla share price at risk?

Tesla shares were trading around 9% lower on Tuesday.

Richard Windsor, founder of research firm Radio Free Mobile, told Fortune on Tuesday that while Musk’s purchase of Twitter is an “excellent deal” for Twitter’s current shareholders, it raises the risk for Tesla shareholders.

“There is obviously the management time, but quite frankly, if you look at Tesla and you look at what he’s likely to do with Twitter, I suspect that’s not going to be too much of an issue,” he said in a phone call.

But Windsor, who said he was “the last person to say that Tesla is fairly valued,” told Fortune that Tesla share prices could normalize if its famed CEO was less involved in the company.

“If Musk did step back a little bit from Tesla, the shine or the appeal of the shares might diminish, and consequently, the shares might sell down somewhat,” he said.

‘Likely to emerge bruised but in fighting form’

Meanwhile, AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould said Tuesday that there were a number of issues surrounding Musk’s acquisition of Twitter.

“Given how Musk’s energies are already spread across Tesla’s car and solar energy operations and SpaceX, loyalists are unlikely to be concerned about the serial entrepreneur giving himself something else to do,” he said.

Mould also noted that Musk was taking “a good deal of risk” by using Tesla shares as collateral.

“If the electric car maker’s shares were to unexpectedly crater, that could create a lot of discomfort, even if his 2018 pay deal allows him to exercise options priced at just $70 a pop and he is, on paper, the world’s wealthiest person,” he said.

Windsor agreed that it was important to bear in mind that Musk has used part of his stake in Tesla to secure financing for the purchase of Twitter, and that pinning Tesla stock to the deal created a new risk for Tesla share prices.

Susannah Streeter, senior investment and markets analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, told Fortune that Musk faces an “extremely hard slog in the months and years ahead” at Twitter, with regulatory crackdowns on Big Tech and maintaining revenue at the company likely to require his attention.

“[But] given that Musk has time and time again deflected blows of criticism aimed at his perceived overambition, he is likely to emerge bruised but in fighting form, whatever obstacles are thrown at him,” she said.

Sign up for the Fortune Features email list so you don’t miss our biggest features, exclusive interviews, and investigations.

About the Author
By Chloe Taylor
LinkedIn iconTwitter icon
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Tech

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Tech

Samsung’s UK boss keeps a signed $100 bill she’s never allowed to spend—and shares her best and worst investments
SuccessFortune The Good Life
Samsung’s UK boss keeps a signed $100 bill she’s never allowed to spend—and shares her best and worst investments
By Orianna Rosa RoyleMay 31, 2026
8 minutes ago
A girl holds an tablet in front of her face.
North AmericaEducation
Stop blaming immigration for low U.S. reading scores, top psychologist says. The problem is actually devices giving easy access to social media
By Sasha RogelbergMay 31, 2026
1 hour ago
Elon Musk surrounded by Money symbols
InvestingFinance
If Elon Musk merges SpaceX with Tesla he’ll create a $3.4 trillion behemoth—with zero profits
By Shawn TullyMay 31, 2026
3 hours ago
SoftBank plans up to €75 billion investment in French AI centers
AISoftbank
SoftBank plans up to €75 billion investment in French AI centers
By Benoit Berthelot and BloombergMay 30, 2026
13 hours ago
After Blue Origin rocket explosion, NASA’s entire moon exploration program depends on SpaceX for now as Musk eyes blockbuster IPO soon
Innovationspace
After Blue Origin rocket explosion, NASA’s entire moon exploration program depends on SpaceX for now as Musk eyes blockbuster IPO soon
By Jason MaMay 30, 2026
14 hours ago
Snowflake CEO says monster quarter shows why software firms need new pricing models to thrive in AI age
AISnowflake Computing
Snowflake CEO says monster quarter shows why software firms need new pricing models to thrive in AI age
By Sebastian HerreraMay 30, 2026
16 hours ago

Most Popular

Surging Treasury yields expose a brutal truth: America has no margin for error on its $39 trillion debt
Economy
Surging Treasury yields expose a brutal truth: America has no margin for error on its $39 trillion debt
By Shawn TullyMay 30, 2026
1 day ago
U.S. says deals with Iran for safe Hormuz transit are prohibited
Politics
U.S. says deals with Iran for safe Hormuz transit are prohibited
By Jack Wittels and BloombergMay 30, 2026
19 hours ago
After a judge ordered Trump's name be removed from the Kennedy Center, president says it will 'soon be closed, probably never to open again'
Law
After a judge ordered Trump's name be removed from the Kennedy Center, president says it will 'soon be closed, probably never to open again'
By Collin Binkley and The Associated PressMay 30, 2026
13 hours ago
Gen Z is rejecting $200 dates and choosing 'solo-maxxing'—and dating apps are taking a hit
Economy
Gen Z is rejecting $200 dates and choosing 'solo-maxxing'—and dating apps are taking a hit
By Sydney LakeMay 30, 2026
24 hours ago
After Blue Origin rocket explosion, NASA's entire moon exploration program depends on SpaceX for now as Musk eyes blockbuster IPO soon
Innovation
After Blue Origin rocket explosion, NASA's entire moon exploration program depends on SpaceX for now as Musk eyes blockbuster IPO soon
By Jason MaMay 30, 2026
14 hours ago
Current price of oil as of May 29, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of May 29, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerMay 29, 2026
2 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.