Ross Gerber has emerged as one of the most influential and outspoken figures in the investment management landscape, particularly known for his bold perspectives on Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk. As the co-founder, president, and CEO of Gerber Kawasaki Wealth and Investment Management, Gerber has built a reputation for leveraging his financial expertise across multiple sectors while maintaining a prominent media presence. His candid commentary on market trends, corporate leadership, and emerging technologies has positioned him as a significant voice in financial circles, especially as tensions between him and Musk have intensified in recent months.
Background & Early Career
Ross Gerber received his BA in Communications from the Annenberg School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he also concentrated in Business Law at the Wharton School of Business, graduating in 1993. His educational pursuits extended beyond finance to include a second concentration in Classical Music Studies at the University of Pennsylvania and attendance at the Grove School of Music, reflecting his diverse interests. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Gerber attended Brentwood High School, graduating in 1989.
Gerber’s passion for investing began at an early age when he received Apple and Disney stock as a gift for his 13th birthday. His interest in financial markets continued to grow as he followed the bull market throughout his high school years. While at college, he balanced his academic pursuits with his love for music, forming several local bands.
After graduating, Gerber returned to Los Angeles and joined an independent investment firm affiliated with SunAmerica Securities. His career trajectory accelerated rapidly, and by 1995, he had already made a significant mark in the investment world. By 1997, he was managing a branch with 15 advisors, and by 1999, he had been promoted to vice president and COO, overseeing more than 200 advisors.
The Rise of Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management
In 2010, Gerber co-founded Gerber Kawasaki Wealth and Investment Management, which has since grown into a formidable presence in the financial services industry. The firm has experienced remarkable growth, evolving from managing $50 million in assets to overseeing approximately $1.8 billion as of 2022, with a client base exceeding 10,000.
Gerber Kawasaki has established itself as a leader in Fintech by leveraging technology to work with younger clients, a strategy that has contributed significantly to its success. The firm specializes in investments across technology, media, entertainment, and communications sectors, reflecting Gerber’s expertise and interest in these areas.
The company’s impressive growth trajectory earned it recognition as one of the fastest-growing companies in Los Angeles by the Los Angeles Business Journal in 2020. Additionally, Gerber has received accolades for promoting diversity and inclusion in the financial sector, further enhancing the firm’s reputation and influence.
Tesla Investment Journey
Gerber’s relationship with Tesla and its enigmatic CEO, Elon Musk, represents one of the most fascinating aspects of his investment career. As one of Tesla’s earliest investors, Gerber initially positioned himself as a strong supporter of the electric vehicle manufacturer and its ambitious goals. However, his stance has evolved significantly over time, particularly following Musk’s acquisition of Twitter (now X) in 2022.
In recent years, Gerber has become increasingly critical of Musk’s leadership and its impact on Tesla. He has expressed concerns about Musk’s divided attention across multiple companies, including SpaceX, xAI, and X, arguing that this fragmented focus has been detrimental to Tesla’s operations and strategic direction. According to Gerber, “Tesla needs a new CEO… The business has been neglected for too long,” a statement that reflects his growing dissatisfaction with Musk’s management approach.
Gerber’s concerns extend beyond leadership issues to encompass broader questions about Tesla’s business model and future prospects. He has been particularly critical of Musk’s emphasis on robotaxis and autonomous driving technology, describing the robotaxi business as “a super competitive business that’s barely profitable” and suggesting that Musk’s focus on these areas is “a convenient reorientation when you’re having a hard time selling cars”.
These concerns have prompted Gerber to reduce his stake in Tesla significantly. He disclosed that he had sold approximately $60 million worth of Tesla shares, though his investment fund still maintained a $50 million position in the company as of the time of reporting. Regulatory filings showed that Gerber reduced his firm’s Tesla stake by 31% in 2024, and at the end of 2023, he still held 262,000 Tesla shares worth approximately $106 million.
Recent Developments & Current Trending Issues
Gerber has recently gained significant media attention for his escalating criticism of Musk and explicit calls for his removal as Tesla’s CEO. In March 2025, Gerber made a public appeal for Tesla’s board to swiftly remove Musk from his leadership position, citing concerns about Musk’s handling of Twitter (X) and his involvement in President Donald Trump’s administration.
With a stake of over 250,000 shares valued at around $62 million based on recent market prices, Gerber’s voice carries substantial weight. When directly asked if Musk should remain at the helm of Tesla, Gerber’s response was unequivocal: “Absolutely not.” He emphasized that Tesla’s board should have acted to ensure the company had a dedicated CEO before Musk took on responsibilities with Twitter.
Gerber has outlined four specific reasons why he believes Tesla’s stock could fall by up to 50% in 2025:
- Full Self-Driving Technology Issues: Gerber has criticized Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology, pointing out that it lacks LIDAR sensors which competitors like Waymo use. He stated, “I’m in the camp now that you need LIDAR to have a safe enough system for Full Self-Driving,” suggesting that Tesla’s camera-only approach is insufficient for true autonomous driving.
- Musk’s Divided Attention: Gerber has argued that Musk’s focus is too fragmented across his various ventures. “His 100% focus is on AI, and that’s really a detriment to Tesla,” Gerber noted, expressing that Musk “doesn’t work at Tesla anymore” while prioritizing his other interests.
- Slowing Vehicle Sales and Rising Competition: Tesla experienced its first annual decline in electric vehicle sales in 2024, a concerning trend that Gerber has highlighted. He has pointed to growing competition, particularly from Chinese EV manufacturer BYD, which he describes as “such a good company” that is gaining market share in emerging markets.
- Overvalued Stock Price: With a price-to-earnings ratio of 118, Gerber considers Tesla’s stock significantly overvalued compared to its peers. He has stated, “The issue to me is, I’ve got $100 million in Tesla stock at 125 times earnings, and it’s not even close to any PE, to any normal Mag Seven stock,” suggesting that the current valuation is unsustainable.
In addition to these concerns, Gerber has been vocal about Musk’s political associations, particularly his role in Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), arguing that these connections have made Musk too “divisive” and have distracted him from his responsibilities at Tesla. Gerber believes this political alignment has contributed to declining sales in markets like France, Germany, and Norway.
Perhaps most tellingly, Gerber announced that he intends to “eventually” sell his Cybertruck, citing intense public hostility toward the Tesla brand. This decision is particularly significant given that Gerber has been a prominent Tesla investor and customer for years.
Diversified Investment Interests
While Gerber’s views on Tesla have dominated recent headlines, his investment interests extend well beyond the electric vehicle manufacturer. He has been particularly active in the cannabis sector, reflecting his longstanding advocacy for cannabis legalization dating back to his college years, when he organized one of the largest cannabis legalization rallies at the University of Pennsylvania.
Gerber has developed relationships with leading cannabis industry executives, including Kim Rivers of Trulieve, Jason Wild of TerrAscend, and Ben Kovler of Green Thumb Industries. His extensive investment in the cannabis sector and advocacy for reform position him as a significant voice in this rapidly evolving market. In September 2024, he was scheduled to speak at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago, underscoring his continued engagement with this sector. More broadly, Gerber is known for his expertise in technology, clean energy, transportation, and media investments, areas that align with his firm’s investment focus.
Media Presence & Public Influence
Ross Gerber has established himself as a prominent figure in financial media, regularly appearing on major networks including CNN, CNBC, Fox Business News, Bloomberg, Reuters, and Yahoo Finance. He is also a contributing writer for Forbes.com, further extending his influence in financial circles.
His social media presence has made him one of the most influential investors online, with tens of thousands of followers across platforms. At one point, he had over 43,000 Twitter followers and 30,000 Facebook fans, numbers that have likely grown since then. Gerber effectively uses these platforms to share his investment insights and advocate for changes at companies like Tesla.
This media presence has amplified Gerber’s voice and ensured that his perspectives on Tesla, Musk, and broader market trends reach a wide audience, contributing to his status as a significant financial commentator and influencer.
Ross Gerber’s Bold Horizon
Ross Gerber’s journey from a young investor with a passion for financial markets to the leader of a billion-dollar wealth management firm illustrates his entrepreneurial vision and financial acumen. His willingness to take bold stances on controversial issues, particularly his criticism of Elon Musk and Tesla, has positioned him as a distinctive voice in the investment community. As tensions between Gerber and Musk continue to escalate, with Gerber explicitly calling for Musk’s removal as Tesla’s CEO, the investment community will be watching closely to see how this relationship evolves and what implications it might have for Tesla’s future direction and stock performance.
Regardless of how his predictions about Tesla unfold, Gerber’s diverse investment interests, media presence, and outspoken commentary ensure that he will remain a significant figure in financial circles, continuing to shape discussions about investment strategies, corporate governance, and emerging market trends in the years to come.
Michael Crag
