Elon Musk hit by mass resignations: Why his CEO Linda Yaccarino and 14 other executives may have just quit |
Linda Yaccarino has stepped down as CEO of Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, after just over two years in the role. Her departure comes amid growing chaos in Musk’s business empire, where politics, controversy, and high-level exits are becoming a pattern. Yaccarino’s resignation marks the latest in a string of high-profile departures. Fourteen other senior leaders from Tesla, SpaceX, and X have left their roles in the past 12 months. As Musk increasingly intertwines his corporate ventures with political ambitions, industry watchers are raising questions about his ability to retain top talent.
Linda Yaccarino’s exit and the growing turmoil at X
Yaccarino took over as CEO of X (formerly Twitter) in June 2023, after serving as global chair of advertising and partnerships at NBCUniversal. She was brought in to reassure advertisers and stabilize the platform after Musk’s takeover sent many brands fleeing. Her exit was sudden and largely unexplained. In her farewell message, she thanked Musk for entrusting her with the mission of turning X into the “Everything App” and upholding free speech. However, her departure signals deepening instability at X, where internal tensions, advertiser exodus, and falling user trust continue to plague the platform.
Who else left Elon Musk and why? Profiles of the 14 departing executives
Omead Afshar – former head of Tesla sales (North America & Europe)
Afshar was one of Musk’s most trusted lieutenants, overseeing major regional sales and playing a pivotal role in strategic operations. He was also considered Musk’s proxy during his brief political tenure as DOGE Chief. Afshar’s departure in June 2025 was reportedly due to internal disagreements over Tesla’s new market strategy and Musk’s increasing focus on politics.
Jenna Ferrua – director of human resources, Tesla
Ferrua worked at Tesla for over seven years, managing workforce expansion, policy restructuring, and talent development. She played a critical role during the company’s major hiring surges and internal reorganizations. She left in June 2025, amid growing tensions between executive teams and Musk’s direct involvement in HR decisions.
Milan Kovac – head of the Optimus robot program, Tesla
As the lead engineer behind Tesla’s humanoid robot initiative, Kovac was credited as the visionary behind Musk’s dream of a trillion-dollar robotics empire. He resigned in June 2025 after reported delays and funding conflicts in the Optimus development timeline.
Vineet Mehta – head of battery architecture, Tesla
Mehta spent 18 years at Tesla, overseeing its lithium-ion and next-gen battery platforms. He was instrumental in designing the battery systems for the Model S and Cybertruck. His exit in May 2025 raised concerns over the future of Tesla’s innovation in battery technology.
Mark Westfall – head of mechanical engineering, Tesla Energy
Westfall was with Tesla for over a decade, focusing on solar power products and the Powerwall battery storage systems. His departure in April 2025 came as Tesla Energy was undergoing a strategic shift, cutting back on some renewable projects to focus more on AI integration.
David Lau – VP of software engineering, Tesla
A veteran of Tesla’s autopilot and user interface teams, Lau was deeply involved in the development of Full Self-Driving software. He left in April 2025 after 12 years at the company, reportedly due to a reshuffling of the software division and executive disagreements.
Tom Ochinero – VP of commercial sales, SpaceX
One of the longest-serving business leaders at SpaceX, Ochinero led commercial launch contracts and satellite deals with international clients. His February 2024 exit was viewed as a major blow to SpaceX’s global partnerships.
Nick Pickles – VP of global affairs, X
Pickles spent nearly a decade shaping public policy at Twitter/X. He helped navigate the company through misinformation controversies and regulatory battles. He stepped down in September 2024, citing burnout and shifts in platform direction under Musk.
Renato Leite Monteiro – global data protection officer, X
Monteiro led X’s global data privacy efforts. A recognized expert in digital rights, he left in September 2024 to take personal time off. Insiders say the platform’s reduced emphasis on privacy and increasing legal battles influenced his decision.
David Zhang – program manager for Cybertruck & Roadster, Tesla
Zhang managed Tesla’s most futuristic vehicles — the long-delayed Roadster and Cybertruck. He exited in July 2024 after internal project delays and conflicts over vehicle specs and timelines.
Joe Benarroch – head of operations, X
Brought in to restructure the company during mass layoffs, Benarroch helped stabilize day-to-day operations post-Musk acquisition. He quit in June 2024, citing strategic misalignment with Musk’s vision for the platform.
Brett Weitz – head of content & brand, X
Formerly a TV executive, Weitz spearheaded the Originals documentary-style content initiative. His departure in June 2025 came after failed attempts to scale premium content on the platform.
Dave Heinzinger – head of media strategy, X
Heinzinger lasted only four months in his role, quitting in March 2025 due to personal reasons, but many believe it was linked to content moderation controversies.
Haofei Wang – head of product engineering, X
Wang was one of Musk’s closest technical confidants at X and acted as a bridge between Musk and the engineering team. He left in March 2025 reportedly due to mounting pressure and constant strategic pivots.
