Burry Denies Shorting Tesla Amid Ongoing Bearish Commentary: What’s Really Happening?

Michael Burry, the famed investor who predicted the 2008 housing crash, just made a sharp U-turn in public—denying he's shorting Tesla even as his bearish rhetoric continues. The market's buzzing. Is this a classic misdirection play, or genuine clarification?

Reading Between the Lines

Burry's social media history is a graveyard of Tesla skepticism. He's flagged everything from valuation to supply chain risks. Yet his latest statement—a flat denial of a short position—cuts through the noise. It leaves a glaring question: if you're not betting against it, why keep talking it down? Some analysts call it 'free market commentary.' Others see a hedge fund narrative game—talk your book without showing your cards. After all, on Wall Street, what you say often matters more than what you do.

The Ripple Effect on Sentiment

This isn't just about one stock. Burry's moves are watched by retail and institutional traders alike. His denial might temporarily ease selling pressure, but the underlying bearish tone fuels uncertainty. For Tesla bulls, it's a mixed signal—relief from a direct short attack, but ongoing scrutiny from a influential voice. The stock's volatility? Unchanged. Welcome to modern markets, where perception and positioning dance a fragile tango.

Why It Matters Beyond Elon's Empire

Look past the Tesla headlines. This episode highlights a broader trend in today's hyper-connected markets: the power of influencer finance. A single tweet from a notable figure can move billions in market cap—sometimes without a single trade being placed. It's the ultimate paradox: maximum impact with minimal accountability. For regulators and investors, that's the real story brewing beneath the surface.

So, what's Burry's endgame? Only his portfolio knows for sure. But in an era where talking down an asset can be as profitable as shorting it, maybe the denial itself is the most bullish signal of all—or just another cynical hedge fund feint. Either way, the market's watching, and the commentary isn't stopping.

Tesla publishes delivery estimates as sales pressure builds

Tesla added to the debate on Monday when it abruptly published vehicle delivery estimates on its website. That step stood out. The company usually shares this data privately with analysts and investors.

The numbers pointed to a second straight annual decline in vehicle sales, as Tesla compiled an average estimate of 1.6 million deliveries, a drop of more than 8% from the prior year. The outlook for the next three years also came in below averages tracked by Bloomberg, showing weaker momentum than many investors had priced in.

For the fourth quarter, analysts expect Tesla to deliver 422,850 vehicles, according to data posted by the company. That WOULD be a 15% fall from the same period last year.

Bloomberg’s average stood higher at 440,907 vehicles, which still implied an 11% annual decline. Tesla had not published these averages before, even though its investor relations team has long compiled similar data behind the scenes.

Despite the sales slowdown, Tesla stock has held up, surging 11% through Tuesday’s close, even as the S&P 500 gained 17% over the same period. The gap shows investors remain willing to pay for future growth, even as delivery volumes soften.

Elon Musk defends Tesla scale while Burry stays skeptical of AI

While delivery estimates triggered bearish argument, Elon Musk continued posting on X, saying, “Tesla Model Y is now officially the world’s best-selling car for the third year in a row.” In another, Elon addressed criticism tied to his $1 trillion pay package, which shareholders approved at an October meeting.

“My Tesla and SpaceX shares, which are almost all my wealth, only go up in value as a function of how much useful product those companies produce and service,” Elon wrote. He added that shareholders and employees benefit from stock gains and described himself as “a maker, not a taker,” targeting politicians like Bernie Sanders.

Meanwhile, Michael remains with short positions on Nvidia, Palantir, and Google, arguing that AI has turned into a bubble. He has said, in his new Substack “Cassandra Unchained,” he does not believe AI demand will justify current valuations and expects the trade to unwind next year.

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