SkyBridge Capital founder Anthony Scaramucci has indicated that a merger between electric vehicle giant Tesla and artificial intelligence startup xAI seems unavoidable. This assertion comes as investors exert pressure for Tesla to financially support xAI, the developer of the Grok chatbot, aligning with Elon Musk's broader vision of integrating AI across his enterprises. This strategic move could significantly elevate Tesla's market capitalization, potentially reaching an astounding $8.5 trillion.
Merger Speculation Mounts as Shareholders Push for xAI Investment
On September 14, 2025, Anthony Scaramucci, a prominent figure in the financial world and head of SkyBridge Capital, voiced his conviction that a merger between Tesla Inc. and xAI is bound to happen. His comments, shared on the social media platform X, emerged shortly after a report from the Wall Street Journal highlighted a shareholder proposal by Stephen Hawk, a dedicated Tesla investor from Florida. Hawk's proposal advocates for Tesla's board of directors to approve an investment in xAI, Elon Musk's artificial intelligence venture responsible for the Grok chatbot.
Musk himself has been a vocal proponent of Tesla investing directly in xAI. He perceives Tesla as fundamentally an AI company, with its core innovations centered around real-world AI applications such as autonomous driving, advanced robotics, and the Optimus humanoid robot. xAI complements this vision by developing large language models like Grok, which is already integrated into Optimus and certain Tesla vehicles, serving as an AI companion.
The shareholder proposal, which also includes a contentious $1 trillion compensation package for Musk, is slated for a vote at Tesla's annual meeting on November 6. Hawk expressed that his inspiration for the proposal stemmed from Musk's own hints regarding potential collaborations between his companies. He stressed the importance of formalizing such a partnership to ensure clear, mutual benefits for both entities. Musk had previously sought feedback from his followers on X regarding this idea and committed to honoring shareholder preferences. The two companies also engage in energy collaboration, with xAI procuring Tesla's industrial batteries for its data centers. Musk has suggested that a merger or investment could allow Tesla investors to participate in the success of his AI innovations.
Gene Munster, co-founder of Deepwater Asset Management, further supported the idea earlier this month, arguing that combining Tesla with xAI could propel the automaker to an ambitious $8.5 trillion market valuation. Concurrently, xAI is undergoing internal restructuring, including laying off 500 generalist tutors while planning a tenfold expansion of its specialist AI teams. The startup, valued at over $100 billion, has secured $10 billion in funding and aims for a valuation as high as $200 billion.
Investor Confidence and the Future of AI Integration
The growing momentum behind a potential Tesla-xAI merger underscores a critical juncture in the convergence of automotive and artificial intelligence sectors. This development signals a profound shift, where AI is not merely an auxiliary feature but a foundational element of advanced technology companies. For investors, this potential merger represents an opportunity to tap into the expansive growth trajectory of both electric vehicles and cutting-edge AI. It also highlights the increasing influence of shareholder activism in shaping corporate strategy, especially when aligned with the vision of charismatic leaders like Elon Musk. The integration of Grok into Tesla's ecosystem, coupled with xAI's ambitious valuation, suggests a future where AI-driven innovations will redefine market leadership and potentially yield extraordinary returns for those invested in this synergistic evolution.