Tesla Stock Rises for 5th Straight Day as Elon Musk Threatens Legal Action Against Apple

Tesla’s stock (TSLA) rose 0.5% on August 12, marking its fifth straight day of gains, as CEO Elon Musk’s threat of “immediate legal action” against Apple over alleged App Store antitrust violations sparked investor optimism. Despite a brewing controversy, the stock’s upward trend reflects confidence in Tesla’s fundamentals and Musk’s bold moves. This concise article breaks down the stock surge, Musk’s feud with Apple, and its implications, tailored for those tracking Tesla’s market performance.

Stock Performance: A Five-Day Rally
As shown in the finance card above, Tesla’s stock closed at $339.24 on August 13, down slightly from a high of $348.81 but up from $338.83 the previous day. The five-day gain, totaling approximately 2.7%, follows a volatile 2025, with TSLA down 18.37% year-to-date but up 65.79% over the past year. The rally began August 8, driven by positive sentiment around Tesla’s AI advancements and Musk’s high-profile actions, despite a reported disbanding of the Dojo supercomputer project.

Musk’s Legal Threat Against Apple
On August 12, Musk accused Apple of favoring OpenAI’s ChatGPT over his xAI chatbot, Grok, in App Store rankings, claiming it was “impossible” for competitors to reach #1. He labeled this an “antitrust violation” on X, threatening legal action. Community Notes countered that other AI apps topped the charts in 2025, but Musk’s remarks fueled speculation of a broader AI strategy, boosting Tesla’s stock as investors bet on his influence and xAI’s growth potential.

• Musk’s Influence: His aggressive stance against Apple reinforces his image as a disruptive leader, rallying investor confidence.
• AI Optimism: Tesla’s pivot to inference chips for real-time AI, as Musk noted on X, signals innovation despite the Dojo setback.
• Market Sentiment: Broader tech sector gains, with the S&P 500 up 2.4% last week, support Tesla’s rally.

The stock’s rise suggests investors are unfazed by the Apple controversy, focusing instead on Tesla’s AI and EV prospects. However, Musk’s legal threats risk escalating tensions with Apple, potentially impacting Tesla’s ecosystem integration. With a market cap of $1.09 trillion, Tesla remains a powerhouse, but volatility looms if legal battles intensify.

Tesla’s five-day stock surge, fueled by Musk’s bold rhetoric and AI ambitions, underscores his ability to drive market sentiment. While the Apple feud adds uncertainty, investors seem to back Musk’s vision. Monitor Tesla’s stock and Musk’s legal moves, as they could shape the company’s trajectory in 2025.