The Tesla Files: Lessons on Power, Ethics, and Responsibility in the Age of Elon Musk (2025)

The Tesla Files: Lessons on Power, Ethics, and Responsibility in the Age of Elon Musk

Introduction
"The Tesla Files: A Whistleblower, a Leak, a Fight for Truth: The Inside Story of Musk's Empire" by Sönke Iwersen and Michael Verfürden is a revealing work that unravels the complexities behind Elon Musk’s empire, focusing on Tesla but extending its analysis to his influence over SpaceX, X, and global politics. Based on a massive data leak provided by whistleblower Lukasz Krupski, the book blends investigative journalism with personal narratives, exposing flaws in data management, broken promises, and Musk’s outsized impact on the public sphere. This article distills the key lessons from the book, structured into 10 thematic sections, to provide a clear and useful guide to its relevance in today’s context.

1. The Vulnerability of Data in the Digital Age

The book begins with the massive Tesla data leak, which included personal information of over 100,000 employees, such as names, addresses, social security numbers, and salary details. These data, accessible without restrictions within Tesla’s internal system, highlight alarming negligence in data protection. The lesson is clear: even the most advanced tech companies can fail in cybersecurity, putting employees and customers at risk. In a world where data is a critical asset, organizations must prioritize security to prevent identity theft, fraud, and reputational damage.

2. The Power of Whistleblowers in Holding Accountability

Lukasz Krupski, the whistleblower who contacted the authors, emerges as a central figure in exposing Tesla’s systemic issues. Despite personal, financial, and legal risks, his courage revealed critical problems within the company. This case underscores the vital role of whistleblowers in combating corporate opacity. Organizations and governments must protect these individuals, as their actions are essential for ensuring transparency and ethics in large corporations.

3. The Mythology of Elon Musk: Genius and Controversy

The book portrays Musk as an almost mythical figure, revered as an innovator but also feared for his erratic behavior and tendency to downplay present risks in favor of future visions. From his indifference to a critical SpaceX failure to his obsession with controlling narratives on X, Musk embodies the paradox of a visionary leader who often ignores the immediate consequences of his decisions. This duality teaches us that charisma and ambition must not overshadow the need for responsibility and ethical judgment.

4. The Dangers of an "Ultra Hardcore" Corporate Culture

Musk’s “ultra hardcore” work philosophy fosters a high-pressure culture at Tesla, where employees face grueling conditions and a high turnover rate (20% annually, according to the book). While this mindset drives innovation, it also leads to burnout, errors, and discontent. The lesson is that a workplace culture obsessed with productivity at all costs can be unsustainable, affecting morale and work quality.

5. Broken Promises and the Autopilot Illusion

The book details how Tesla has exaggerated the capabilities of its Autopilot system, presenting it as a near-fully autonomous solution when it has been linked to fatal accidents. These inflated promises have not only misled consumers but also triggered regulatory investigations. The lesson here is the importance of transparency in communicating technological products: overstating capabilities may generate initial trust but damages credibility and endangers lives in the long run.

6. The Impact of Musk’s Political Influence

The narrative describes how Musk has transcended his role as an entrepreneur to become a powerful political figure, particularly after his support for Donald Trump in the 2024 elections. His involvement in the campaign, including creating a political action committee and proposing to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), shows how economic power can shape politics. This raises questions about the ethical boundaries of corporate influence in democracy and the need for regulations to balance such power.

7. The Paradox of Free Speech

Musk acquired X (formerly Twitter) with the promise of making it a bastion of free speech, but the book reveals how his management has amplified misinformation and conspiracy theories. His posts, reaching millions of views, often contain false claims about elections or public figures. This highlights the paradox of a leader who champions free speech while manipulating narratives to favor his interests. The lesson is that free speech requires responsibility to avoid becoming a vehicle for polarization.

8. Tesla’s Dependence on the Regulations Musk Criticizes

Surprisingly, the book reveals that carbon emission credit sales have been a key pillar of Tesla’s profitability, accounting for $595 million in the first quarter of 2025. This contrasts with Musk’s anti-regulatory rhetoric, as he benefits from the very policies he criticizes. The lesson is that tech companies do not operate in a vacuum: they rely on regulatory frameworks that must balance innovation with public accountability.

9. The Risks of Unchecked Power

The book concludes with a reflection on Musk’s near-unlimited power following Trump’s 2024 election. His access to government, control over X, and influence in SpaceX and Tesla make him a central figure in global politics. The quote from Lord Acton, “power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely,” serves as a warning. The lesson is that concentrated power in one individual, without effective checks, can have devastating consequences for society.

10. The Importance of Investigative Journalism

"The Tesla Files" not only exposes Tesla but also narrates the challenges of investigative journalism, from verifying data to facing legal pressure from a powerful company. The authors, confronting threats of lawsuits and initial disbelief, demonstrate the tenacity required to uncover the truth. This process underscores the importance of rigorous and ethical journalism as a counterweight to corporate and political power, especially in an era of misinformation.

About the Authors

Sönke Iwersen, leader of Handelsblatt’s investigative team since 2012, is an award-winning journalist known for his precision in complex stories. He has received four Watchdog Awards, the Kurt Tucholsky Prize for Literary Journalism, and the German Reporter Prize, and hosts the acclaimed Handelsblatt Crime podcast. Michael Verfürden, also at Handelsblatt, is renowned for his work on the Wirecard scandal and his focus on cyberattacks and questionable corporate practices. Both teach at the Georg von Holtzbrinck School for Business Journalists, blending rigorous journalism with advanced digital skills.

Conclusions

"The Tesla Files" is a powerful chronicle that goes beyond Tesla to examine the risks of unchecked corporate power, ethics in technology, and the impact of public figures on democracy. It reveals how Musk’s ambition, while innovative, often disregards human and societal consequences. The book also highlights the value of investigative journalism and the courage of whistleblowers in the fight for transparency. However, its critical tone toward Musk may polarize readers, and the lack of direct response from Tesla or Musk limits narrative balance. Despite this, it is an essential work for understanding the intersection of technology, power, and responsibility in the 21st century.

Why Read This Book

This book is a must-read for those seeking to understand the impact of Big Tech and its leaders on modern society. It offers an inside look at Tesla, exposing flaws that affect employees, consumers, and regulators. Additionally, it provides a compelling narrative about the journalistic process, from receiving a leak to publishing a high-stakes report. For students, professionals, and citizens interested in business ethics, cybersecurity, politics, and media, "The Tesla Files" is both a warning and an inspiration about the need to question power and demand accountability.

Glossary of Terms  

Whistleblower: An individual who reveals confidential information about wrongdoing within an organization, often facing personal risks.  
Autopilot: Tesla’s driver-assistance system, promoted as semi-autonomous but criticized for failures and accidents.  
Carbon Emission Credits: Certificates that low-emission companies can sell to others exceeding regulatory limits.  
GDPR: General Data Protection Regulation, the EU’s framework for protecting personal data.  
X: Social media platform acquired by Musk, formerly Twitter, focused on “free speech.”  
DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency): Musk’s proposed initiative to lead cost-cutting efforts in the U.S. government.  
Deepfake: AI-generated fake multimedia content used to manipulate perceptions.  
Cybersecurity: Practices and technologies to protect data and systems from unauthorized access.  
Handelsblatt: Germany’s leading business newspaper, known for investigative journalism.  
SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission): U.S. agency regulating financial markets and protecting investors.

My Final Words

"The Tesla Files" not only demystifies Elon Musk but also raises urgent questions about balancing innovation with responsibility in an era where corporate and political power are dangerously intertwined. It is a call to action for citizens, regulators, and journalists to remain vigilant over those shaping our future.