Tesla CEO Elon Musk reassures employees during stock decline.

Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk attempted to reassure employees during a turbulent time, referring to the company's stock drop of over 50% in three months. These comments were made during a late-night meeting on Thursday. Known for his sense of humor, Musk joked about the media's portrayal of Tesla, stating he had never seen a burning Tesla pass by without a television. He also addressed critics by saying it's fine not to buy Tesla products, but burning them is irrational.

Musk reiterated his long-standing claim that Tesla vehicles are on the verge of achieving self-driving capabilities, a belief he has held since 2016, suggesting that a software update could enable full autonomy. He encouraged employees to hold onto their shares, and this statement was met with applause during the event in Austin. Following the meeting, Tesla shares rose by 2.5% shortly after normal trading began on Friday.