Tesla chair Robyn Denholm on Thursday firmly rejected a Wall Street Journal report claiming that the company’s board had been quietly exploring candidates to potentially replace CEO Elon Musk.

The Journal reported on Wednesday that Tesla board members had reached out to several executive search firms roughly a month ago to discuss CEO succession, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Denholm took to X to call the report “absolutely false,” adding that the board remains “highly confident” in Musk’s leadership and his ability to deliver on Tesla’s ambitious growth strategy. Musk himself also dismissed the article on X, calling it “deliberately false.”

Just last week, Musk said he planned to reduce his involvement with the Trump administration and refocus his attention on Tesla. His role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), where he has spearheaded federal workforce cuts, has been one of the more controversial elements of the Trump era, raising investor concerns amid a slowdown in Tesla’s electric vehicle sales.

Musk’s outspoken support for far-right figures in Europe has also sparked protests and vandalism targeting Tesla showrooms and charging stations across the U.S. and Europe.

According to the Journal, Tesla board members had urged Musk to make a public commitment to spend more time on company matters. However, it remains unclear whether Musk—who also serves on the board—was informed of any succession discussions, or whether his recent pledge has changed those conversations.

Tesla is navigating a pivotal moment as it faces intensifying global competition. Musk has shifted the company’s narrative from producing affordable electric cars to a bold focus on robotaxis and humanoid robots, signaling a future rooted in AI and robotics rather than traditional automaking. The company’s market valuation heavily reflects that vision, and some investors believe alignment with Trump could help push it forward.

Recent regulatory moves in the U.S. to loosen restrictions on autonomous vehicle testing have buoyed Tesla’s stock. Meanwhile, some board members, including co-founder JB Straubel, have been engaging with key investors to shore up confidence in the company’s leadership, the Journal reported.

Tesla’s board has faced longstanding criticism from activist investors over concerns about its independence and its perceived failure to effectively oversee Musk. Denholm, who was appointed to the chair role by Musk and has defended his controversial compensation package, has also come under scrutiny over her own pay, though she has dismissed claims that it affects her ability to hold Musk accountable.

In March, Denholm sold about $33.7 million worth of Tesla shares, according to SEC filings. The board, which includes Musk’s brother Kimbal Musk and James Murdoch, son of Rupert Murdoch, is reportedly seeking to add another independent director, according to the Journal.