Elon Musk says he’s back to sleeping in office, calls it ‘wartime mode’

Elon Musk has once again plunged into his rigorous work routine, declaring himself in "wartime mode" as he dedicates himself to Tesla, X, and SpaceX. In a recent post on X, Musk shared that he is now working seven days a week and often sleeping in his office when his children are not around. Musk’s declaration included a throwback video where he was labeled a "Wartime CEO." In the clip, he candidly reflects on the mental and emotional toll of such an intense work schedule, stating, "No one should put these many hours into work. This is not good. This is very painful. It hurts my brain and my heart." This return to his demanding lifestyle comes amidst critical developments across his businesses, including Tesla, SpaceX, and initiatives in AI and government. Musk has a history of putting in long hours, especially during periods of operational difficulty. Back in February 2025, he mentioned that he and his team at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) were logging 120-hour work weeks, contrasting their efforts with the more relaxed pace of bureaucratic rivals. Musk has often recounted his extreme dedication during challenging times, such as when he was working 120 hours weekly and sleeping at Tesla’s factory during the Model 3 production crunch. He described the situation as "life or death," noting that the company was losing substantial amounts of money weekly. In a past interview, Musk explained his choice to sleep at the factory, stating he didn’t want to ask employees to endure hardships while he took time off. His commitment to his work has seen him living at Tesla’s factories for extended periods, sometimes even sleeping in a tent on the roof. Musk's demanding work culture extends beyond himself. Following his acquisition of Twitter in late 2022, he sent an email to employees insisting on "long hours at high intensity" or the option to leave with severance. Reports indicated that the San Francisco headquarters was modified to function as a quasi-dormitory, which led to scrutiny from the city’s Department of Building Inspection. In response to the backlash, Musk took to X to defend his approach, criticizing the city's priorities and asserting that they should focus on more pressing issues.