SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell just gave another hint at a Tesla merger

SpaceX president and COO Gwynne Shotwell stated this week that a merger between SpaceX and Tesla is "not out of the question" during an interview with CNBC. Shotwell, who is also Tesla's former CFO, indicated that while no active discussions are currently underway, the possibility of combining the two companies, both led by Elon Musk, remains a consideration for the future. She elaborated that such a merger would require significant strategic alignment and would likely be driven by Elon Musk's vision. Shotwell previously hinted at this possibility in a 2022 interview, suggesting that a merger could occur if Musk decided it was the right move. The two companies share a common CEO and have collaborated on projects, including Tesla's use of SpaceX's Starlink for internet connectivity in some of its vehicles. However, both companies operate as distinct entities with separate leadership structures and shareholder bases. Tesla is a publicly traded company, while SpaceX remains privately held. Shotwell's latest remarks suggest that while the idea is not actively being pursued, it continues to be a potential long-term scenario.