According to two separate and unverified documents on the Federal Election Commission (FEC) website, Tesla Chief Financial Officer Vaibhav Taneja is listed as the treasurer and record keeper of Elon Musk's newly created political party. In a post on X on Monday, Musk dismissed one of the documents involving the 'American Party (AEMP)' as false and said he had filed a complaint with the FEC. Taneja is also listed in those roles in a separate document for the 'American Party (TAP).'

Both documents remain available on the FEC website and appear shortly after Musk announced his intention to form a political party—a move that is the latest episode in the ongoing rift between the Tesla CEO and President Donald Trump. In addition to listing Taneja as treasurer, both documents provide a California address with an incorrect ZIP code and include a phone number that connects to Tesla's investor relations department. However, Musk's questioning of media reports evokes his long-standing tense relationship with the press. For example, after taking over Twitter (now X), it is widely known that reporters received poop emoji responses when asking questions.

These unverified documents come as Tesla continues to face heightened scrutiny from investors and consumers. Earlier this year, the Wall Street Journal reported that the electric vehicle maker's board had allegedly taken steps to find a CEO successor for Musk amid ongoing headwinds. Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives at the time described the move, which Tesla denied, as a 'warning sign.'

Having Taneja, who has been at Tesla for eight years, serve in Musk's newly formed political entity could further strain the already tense relationship between the CEO and the EV leadership. Listing Taneja as treasurer of Musk's new party may suggest a lack of boundaries between Musk's personal goals and Tesla's professional needs as a corporation, raising concerns—Shawn Cole, president of executive search firm Cowen Partners, said in an email to CFO Dive that it 'raises serious questions about conflicts of interest and the independence of Tesla's financial leadership.' After learning that Musk claimed the documents were false, Cole said it was somewhat of a 'relief,' while noting that Musk 'may be trying to correct a lapse in judgment after the fact.'

An FEC spokesperson said via email that the agency cannot comment on specific documents submitted to its website but noted that it does have procedures for handling filings that may contain false information. On the other hand, Josh Crist, co-managing partner at Crist | Kolder Associates, told CFO Dive that Taneja's potential role as treasurer in the new party could also indicate Musk's high regard and trust for the CFO.

'Musk trusts him immensely and holds his technical abilities in high regard,' Crist said in an email, describing such an appointment as leveraging a trusted advisor. Moreover, in his view, appointing Taneja as treasurer does not constitute a conflict of interest—although it would be a different matter if the organization were another publicly traded company. 'I think this is just Musk using a trusted advisor to do more things,' he said.

However, Cole told CFO Dive that listing Taneja as treasurer 'could constitute a form of dual employment; it certainly requires time, energy, and loyalty that should be devoted to his duties as CFO of Tesla, a publicly traded company with a market cap exceeding $500 billion.' The unverified documents also raise concerns that Taneja, 'like many executives and even Tesla's board, may be unable to say no to Musk—whether or not it is in the best interest of shareholders,' he said. 'The overlap between Musk's personal ventures and Tesla's executive leadership is deeply troubling.'

Cole noted that this relationship 'is further complicated by Taneja's recent stock sales—which, in the context of his increasing involvement in Musk's external ventures, highlight troubling questions about the lack of clear boundaries.' 'This reflects a broader shift in the role of the modern CFO—who is supposed to act as an independent guardian of governance and capital discipline, not an extension of the CEO's personal agenda.'

Taneja assumed Tesla's top financial position in August 2023. According to previous CFO Dive reporting, he has sold millions of dollars in stock this year after receiving a $139 million compensation package in 2024, consisting primarily of equity grants. The grant included $113 million in stock options and approximately $26 million in stock awards.

These stock sales occur amid ongoing headwinds for Tesla—the EV maker's share price has fluctuated sharply over the past year due to various market pressures, including the impact of Musk's political activities. According to CNBC, Tesla shares fell 7% after Musk announced he would form the American Party.

In addition to drawing stricter scrutiny from investors and board members, Musk's political activities have also led to rising brand hostility among consumers—with sales continuing to shrink in key markets such as China and the European Union. According to data released by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, Tesla's sales in the EU fell 45% in May, following a 53% decline in April.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.