Author | Lightnews

Becky Peterson @beckpeterson.bsky.social · 3d

www.wsj.com/business/aut...

Tesla Profit Plunges as Musk Turns Focus to ‘Robot Army’

The electric-vehicle maker’s net income fell 37%, even as American shoppers raced to buy electric vehicles before a $7,500 federal tax credit expired last month.

www.wsj.com

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Becky Peterson @beckpeterson.bsky.social · 3d

Often covering Tesla, its feels like my job is to bring a reality check to the big promises that make the numbers go up.

This morning it feels a bit different. Musk said he plans to build a robot army. What does it mean to take this claim seriously?

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Becky Peterson @beckpeterson.bsky.social · 3d

It was the first time I've notice him use this specific phrase, militarizing what has previously been pitched as a tool for manufacturing or domestic settings.

Musk says he won't build such strong AI capabilities if there's a chance he can be ousted by activist investors and replaced.

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Becky Peterson @beckpeterson.bsky.social · 3d

On Tesla's earnings call, Elon made his pitch: If shareholder's don't approve a new $1 trillion pay package, he won't lead Tesla's "robot army."

www.wsj.com/business/aut...

Elon Musk Raises the Stakes for Vote on His Pay

Tesla CEO says control—not money—is the main issue. But walking away would be a problem for him as well.

www.wsj.com

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Becky Peterson @beckpeterson.bsky.social · 4d

Confused by Elon's sudden beef with the star of 1997's The Real World: Boston? Let @micahmaidenberg.bsky.social illuminate the matter:

www.wsj.com/politics/pol...

Musk Tosses Barbs at NASA Chief After SpaceX Criticism

The SpaceX CEO took shots at Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy as Duffy and Jared Isaacman position themselves to lead the space agency.

www.wsj.com

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Becky Peterson @beckpeterson.bsky.social · 8d

I'll keep an eye out for your report.

Becky Peterson @beckpeterson.bsky.social · 8d

An influential proxy advisor came out today against the $1 trillion Musk pay package up for a vote in November.

ISS is influential but has its limits. Last year ISS advised against ratifying the old pay package but it still passed with 72% of the vote.
www.wsj.com/business/aut...

Proxy Adviser ISS Urges Tesla Holders to Reject Musk $1 Trillion Pay Package

The adviser recommends investors reject moonshot pay deal and investment in xAI.

www.wsj.com

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Becky Peterson @beckpeterson.bsky.social · 10d

Huge win for the girl boss

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Becky Peterson @beckpeterson.bsky.social · 16d

Wow, love this for Matt

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Becky Peterson @beckpeterson.bsky.social · 23d

Here's more on Tesla's global deliveries, which grew 7.4% last quarter as customers raced to make the most of the now-expired $7,500 tax credit. www.wsj.com/business/aut...

Tesla Sets New Sales Record as EV Subsidy Ends

The electric-vehicle maker sold more cars as U.S. consumers raced to use an expiring $7,500 tax credit.

www.wsj.com

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Becky Peterson @beckpeterson.bsky.social · 23d

They want Optimus to unload the L.L. Bean Boat and Tote

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Becky Peterson @beckpeterson.bsky.social · 23d

It's the type of move that wouldn't make sense at most companies. An IT exec running the car dealership? But at Tesla, where the dream is to have robots do childcare, it's not that big of a stretch.

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Becky Peterson @beckpeterson.bsky.social · 23d

In January, an exec named Raj Jegannathan moved into the top IT role at Tesla. By summer, he amassed the much bigger mandate to run service and sales after restructuring and high-profile departures thinned the executive bench.

Today, you can find him on X answering customer complaints himself!

The IT Executive Tasked With Revamping How Tesla Sells Cars

Raj Jegannathan has steadily amassed a broad mandate as restructuring and high-profile departures have thinned CEO Elon Musk’s executive bench at the automaker.

www.wsj.com

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Becky Peterson @beckpeterson.bsky.social · Sep 10

Important reporting here from @danahull.bsky.social and crew.

Dana Hull @danahull.bsky.social · Sep 10

NEW: “It’s the most horrible thing, to see a human burning,” Max Walsh said in a recent interview recounting the December 2023 crash. “If I was able to open the doors, I could have gotten them both out before the fire department even got there.”

www.bloomberg.com/features/202...

Trapped Inside: Tesla’s Dangerous Doors

When Teslas lose power, crashes can turn into deadly races against time.

www.bloomberg.com

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Becky Peterson @beckpeterson.bsky.social · Sep 9

Love it

Becky Peterson @beckpeterson.bsky.social · Sep 2

Please enjoy my dispatch: www.wsj.com/tech/burning...

Burning Man’s Online Now. Thank (or Blame) Starlink.

At the famously off-the-grid arts festival, some Burners are checking emails, calling customers or Zooming into graduate seminars. Cue the tensions, and the pranks.

www.wsj.com

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Becky Peterson @beckpeterson.bsky.social · Sep 2

The good news? People can reach friends and family when adverse weather events cause chaos on the Playa. The bad news? The Default World found out in real time that the Orgy Dome had closed.

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Becky Peterson @beckpeterson.bsky.social · Sep 2

I'm back from a *very serious* reporting trip to Black Rock City where I investigated the impact that expanded internet access is having on Burning Man.

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Becky Peterson @beckpeterson.bsky.social · Aug 21

Nothing like explicit propaganda to keep people coming back

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Becky Peterson @beckpeterson.bsky.social · Aug 21

Ah yes! Makes sense.

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Becky Peterson @beckpeterson.bsky.social · Aug 21

What does this mean on like a practical level?

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Becky Peterson @beckpeterson.bsky.social · Jul 29

This is the only thing you could have said to make me want to see it

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Reposted by Becky Peterson

Christopher Mims @mims.bsky.social · Jul 24

In a since-deleted tweet, Musk said that by next year, Optimus robots could replace human waiters on roller skates at the company's new diner in LA. This was his follow up tweet:

Elon Musk post to X on July 23 2025:

We could put Optimus in a cute outfit too :)

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Becky Peterson @beckpeterson.bsky.social · Jul 24

It's called forward👏looking👏multiples👏

www.wsj.com/business/aut...

Elon Musk Tells Tesla Investors to Focus on a Future Filled With Robots

Company points out early progress on robotaxis and bots, as revenue from electric vehicles plummets.

www.wsj.com

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Becky Peterson @beckpeterson.bsky.social · Jul 15

So far this year Tesla has parted ways with it's VP of sales and manufacturing for NA and Europe (Omead), VP of NA sales (Troy), VP of Optimus (Milan), Director of North American HR (Jenna), VP of Vehicle Software ( David)... who am I missing?

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