Elon Musk and 60 Minutes have a history that's basically a decade-long car crash you can't look away from. It’s weird. It’s tense. Honestly, it’s one of the few places where we’ve seen the world’s richest man actually lose his cool—or at least drop the PR mask long enough to show the gears grinding underneath.
Most people remember the memes. They remember the talk about "production hell." But if you actually sit down and watch the progression from his first appearance in 2008 to the explosive interviews in 2014 and 2018, you see a guy shifting from a scrappy underdog to a defensive titan who’s clearly done with "mainstream" rules.
The Interview That Defined "Production Hell"
If you want to understand the modern Musk, you have to look at the December 2018 sit-down with Lesley Stahl. This was Peak Stress Elon. Tesla was bleeding cash, and they were trying to ramp up the Model 3 in a literal tent in the parking lot of their Fremont factory.
Stahl didn't hold back. She called his behavior "erratic" and "unstable."
Musk’s response? He didn't even try to play the corporate game. He told her flat out: "I do not respect the SEC."
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It was a shocker. Usually, CEOs spend millions on media training to avoid saying exactly that. But Musk was sleeping on the floor of the factory. He was exhausted. He told Stahl he was "under insane stress" and that the system would have failed if he were actually as erratic as the press claimed.
Why the 2018 interview matters now:
- The SEC Feud: This was the moment he publicly declared war on the Securities and Exchange Commission after his "funding secured" tweet.
- The "Babysitter" Comment: When asked about his new board chair, Robyn Denholm, he basically dismissed the idea that she could supervise him.
- The Model 3 Tent: He proved that "unconventional" manufacturing (like building cars in a giant tent) actually worked, even if Wall Street thought it was a joke.
What Happened to the "Scrappy Underdog"?
Go back further to 2014, and you see a different person. Scott Pelley interviewed him then. Tesla was still a niche luxury brand. SpaceX had barely started docking with the ISS.
In that footage, Musk looks almost vulnerable. He talks about 2008 being the "worst year of my life." He was broke. He was going through a divorce. Both of his companies were days away from bankruptcy. He told Pelley that he didn't even think Tesla would be successful. He just thought it was "important enough to try."
That’s a far cry from the Musk we see today, who frequently goes on X (formerly Twitter) to call 60 Minutes "liars" and suggest journalists deserve prison time.
The shift is jarring. In 2014, he was the visionary engineer everyone wanted to win. By 2018, he was the combative billionaire fighting the press. By 2025, he had completely turned on the show, accusing them of "deliberate deception" regarding their editing of other political figures like Kamala Harris.
The "Deceptive Editing" Controversy
Lately, the relationship has turned toxic. Musk has been very vocal about how 60 Minutes handles their edits.
In early 2025, he went off on X, claiming the show engaged in "interference" by editing answers in interviews. This stems from a long-standing grievance Musk has with legacy media. He feels they frame him to look "un-CEO-ish"—a word Lesley Stahl actually used to his face.
Musk's argument is basically this: Why do a pre-recorded interview where a producer can cut your words when you can just go on a three-hour podcast or a live stream?
It’s why we don't see him on these legacy programs anymore. He wants total control. He doesn't want the "Scott Pelley treatment" or the "Lesley Stahl skeptical face" intercut with his answers.
Real Talk: Is He Actually "Erratic"?
When you watch these segments back-to-back, you notice a pattern. Musk is extremely honest—sometimes to his own detriment.
In 2018, he admitted to Stahl that he's impulsive. "I don't want to adhere to some CEO template," he said. He's not lying. He doesn't wear the suit. He doesn't use the jargon.
But there’s a nuance people miss.
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The "erratic" behavior usually correlates with what he calls "production hell." When SpaceX rockets are exploding or Tesla is weeks from running out of money, he gets defensive. He gets loud. He tweets things that make his lawyers' hair turn grey.
The Facts vs. The Narrative
- Fact: He did sleep on the floor. In the 2018 interview, he showed CBS the narrow, uncomfortable couch in his office.
- Fact: He didn't vet his tweets. Even after the SEC settlement, he admitted to Stahl that no one was "babysitting" his social media.
- The Narrative: The media often portrays this as a lack of discipline. Musk portrays it as "total transparency."
Practical Takeaways for Following the Story
If you're trying to keep up with the Musk vs. Media saga, don't just read the headlines. Here’s how to actually parse the noise:
- Watch the Raw Footage: If you can find the "Overtime" clips from 60 Minutes, watch those. They usually include the stuff that didn't make the 13-minute TV cut.
- Check the Date: A lot of "shocking" Musk quotes are from the 2018 "production hell" era. Context is everything.
- Follow the Primary Source: For better or worse, Musk’s current "interviews" happen on X. He has moved away from the 60-minute format because he doesn't trust the editing process.
- Compare the Tone: Watch his 2008 interview (where he was a "small startup" guy) vs. his 2025 posts. It's a masterclass in how power and public scrutiny change a person’s relationship with the press.
Musk’s history with 60 Minutes isn't just about cars or rockets. It’s a record of a man outgrowing the traditional media box and eventually deciding to just kick the box over. Whether you think he’s a "visionary" or "erratic," those interviews remain the most revealing look at the person behind the billions.
To get the full picture of how Musk's public image has evolved, compare the 2014 "industrial empire" segment with his recent criticisms of CBS's journalistic standards on X. Notice the shift from seeking validation to seeking total disruption.