“‘Wartime Mode’: Elon Musk Stuns the World as He Reveals He’s Back to Working Seven Days a Week, Sleeping in His Office, and Pushing Himself to the Extreme Amid Mounting Pressure Across Tesla, SpaceX, X, and His AI Ambitions — A Return to the Grueling 120-Hour Weeks That Once Defined His Leadership!”

Elon Musk has never been a stranger to controversy, intensity, or extreme work habits. But his latest revelation has reignited discussions about what it really takes to be at the helm of some of the world’s most ambitious companies. In a candid update shared during a livestream and later posted on X (formerly Twitter), Musk announced that he is back to working seven days a week, describing his current state as operating in “wartime mode.”

“I’m sleeping at the office again,” Musk said. “This isn’t a vacation. This is about survival. Across everything we’re building — Tesla, SpaceX, X, and AI — the pressure is immense, and I need to be fully engaged.”

The comment immediately captured global attention, evoking both admiration and concern. For Musk’s supporters, it’s another example of his relentless commitment to his vision. For his critics, it’s a worrying reminder of the extreme, even unsustainable, pace that Musk not only imposes on himself but often expects from his employees.

A Return to the 120-Hour Weeks

This isn’t the first time Musk has gone into what he calls “wartime mode.” During the most critical years of Tesla’s growth, particularly in 2018 when the company faced what Musk later described as “production hell,” he famously clocked more than 120 hours a week. He often slept at Tesla factories, spending days at a time on the production floor to troubleshoot issues and meet deadlines.

“I didn’t leave the factory for three or four days at a time,” Musk recalled in an earlier interview. “I slept on the floor so the team could see that I was right there with them.”

This grueling work schedule became the stuff of Silicon Valley legend — and also drew heavy criticism. Many workplace experts argued that such practices were unsustainable and fostered a toxic culture of overwork. But to Musk, it was simply what needed to be done.

Why Now?

So what has triggered Musk’s return to this hyper-demanding routine? By his own admission, the pressure across his ventures is greater than ever. Tesla is facing intensifying competition in the electric vehicle market from companies like BYD in China and legacy automakers ramping up their EV production. SpaceX is pushing forward with the highly ambitious Starship program while balancing NASA contracts and commercial launches.

Meanwhile, Musk’s social media platform X continues to wrestle with both financial and regulatory challenges after his turbulent takeover in 2022. And as if those weren’t enough, Musk has also made bold moves in artificial intelligence, positioning himself as a competitor to giants like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft.

“These are not normal times,” Musk said. “When you’re building for the future, there are moments when you can’t just coast. You have to go all in — and that means seven days a week, living where the work happens.”

Sleeping at the Office — Again

Musk also confirmed that he has returned to sleeping in the offices of his companies — a practice that sparked heated debate when it first came to light in 2022 after he converted parts of Twitter’s San Francisco headquarters into makeshift bedrooms.

At the time, city officials launched an investigation into whether the company was violating building codes by using office spaces for residential purposes. Musk blasted the probe as “misplaced priorities,” arguing that employees working around the clock deserved somewhere to rest.

Now, he seems to be doubling down. “I don’t care where I sleep,” Musk said. “If we’re going to win, I need to be close to the action.”

Praise and Criticism

Reactions to Musk’s announcement were predictably polarized. Admirers hailed his tireless dedication. “Love him or hate him, you can’t deny his work ethic,” one user commented on X. “This is why he’s ahead of everyone else.”

Others were far more critical, suggesting that Musk’s behavior normalizes burnout and creates unrealistic expectations for employees. “When your boss brags about working 120 hours a week, it’s not inspiring — it’s toxic,” one critic wrote.

Workplace culture experts have long warned against glorifying extreme schedules. “Leaders set the tone for their organizations,” said Dr. Emily Carver, a workplace psychologist. “If a CEO is working seven days a week and sleeping at the office, employees often feel pressured to mirror that intensity — and that can lead to serious mental health consequences.”

The Bigger Picture

For Musk, however, the current phase seems to be about more than just maintaining the status quo. He has repeatedly spoken about his long-term vision for humanity — from colonizing Mars to advancing AI responsibly. In his mind, these are missions worth any personal sacrifice.

“People talk about work-life balance,” Musk said. “But when you’re fighting for the future, sometimes balance has to take a backseat. This is wartime.”

Can He Keep It Up?

Whether Musk can sustain this level of effort — or whether it’s even wise to try — remains an open question. But if history is any indicator, Musk thrives in moments of crisis. His 2018 “production hell” push transformed Tesla from a company teetering on the edge into a global EV leader.

Now, as he faces mounting challenges across multiple industries, he’s betting that the same approach will once again yield results.

As one longtime Musk observer put it: “You don’t have to agree with his methods. But when Elon Musk says he’s in wartime mode, you can bet the world is about to change.”