Elon Musk has unfollowed prominent Tesla Inc. TSLA investor Sawyer Merritt on X, formerly Twitter, due to an alleged breach of confidentiality.
What Happened: On Tuesday, a user on X, who goes by the name Brandon Smith on the platform, questioned Musk about this move stating that Merritt often breaks news about Tesla that employees don’t disclose to the tech billionaire.
Musk responded, “Don't post leaks of confidential information and expect me to follow.”
Smith then defended Merritt, stating that if Merritt had received confidential information directly, he wouldn’t have posted it. He also requested Musk to give Merritt another chance.
Not just Smith, but many other users on X defended Merritt. On the other hand, some people deduced that Merritt “amplified Elon's leaked email” and allegedly disclosed information about layoff. At the time of writing, Musk still wasn’t following Merritt.
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Benzinga reached out to Merritt and he pointed us toward his explanation on X.
Why It Matters: Merritt, a well-known Tesla investor, has been in the spotlight for his outspoken support of the company and its CEO. In March 2024, Merritt defended Musk against an op-ed that labeled him a “mediocre white man.”
He also led a petition supported by Tesla, urging the U.S. auto safety regulator to reconsider classifying over-the-air software updates for safety concerns as “recalls.”
Just earlier this week, Merritt humorously mocked a Tesla bear, Gordon Johnson, after the company’s stock surged, signaling validation for Musk’s leadership.
Merritt’s actions have often aligned with Musk’s vision, making this unfollowing incident all the more surprising.
Despite the unfollowing, it’s important to note that this incident does not necessarily indicate a significant rift between Musk and Merritt. However, it does raise questions about the handling of confidential information within the Tesla community.
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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