Im writing this open letter as someone who holds the utmost respect for your contributions to humanity. Your vision and drive have undeniably pushed the boundaries of what many thought impossible, from revolutionizing space travel to accelerating the transition to sustainable energy.

However, I feel compelled to express a growing concern that you may be losing your way. My concern centers on your focus, or rather, what appears to be a diffusion of it. While I understand your concern with the exorbitant waste in government— it is an issue and counterproductive to D.O.G.E.— and that you’ve always maintained a stance of speaking your mind, even if it impacts stock performance and indeed, as an individual investor, I have the choice to divest, it’s important to remember that not all investors share that same flexibility.

Many individuals are invested in your companies through their 401(k)s or pension plans and they are drawing monthly from these plans in retirement. These are often long-term investments, foundational to THEIR financial security, and the individuals behind them don’t have the immediate option to pull out simply because of public statements or perceived distractions.

You may not think you do, but you owe these investors your dedicated focus and unwavering attention to the core missions of the companies you’ve built.

My plea is simple: let go of the perceived “foolishness” and rededicate your formidable intellect and drive to delivering the future through your businesses. The world fell in love with you and needs the innovation and progress that your companies are capable of.

Please apply that focus to them.Get us to Mars. And after that, who cares.