Over the years, Musk and his businesses have received at least $38 billion in government contracts, loans, subsidies and tax credits, often at critical moments, a Washington Post analysis has found, helping seed the growth that has made him the world’s richest person.

"Goes from 0 to 1939 in 3 seconds," says the poster from campaign group Everyone Hates Elon as a slump in European Tesla sales also makes headlines.

Sales are plunging in some of the world’s biggest EV markets, and protesters and vandals are targeting the company’s stores.

Elon Musk, once the face of Tesla’s meteoric rise, seems to be turning his focus elsewhere just as the company faces mounting challenges. With Tesla’s sales slipping and competition heating up, investors and analysts are beginning to question whether Musk still has the passion — or the time — to lead the electric carmaker.