xAI CFO Mike Liberatore Departs Amid Executive Turnover

Mike Liberatore, chief financial officer of Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence firm xAI, has left the company, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Liberatore, who joined xAI in April after a stint at Airbnb, oversaw a $5 billion debt raise and a matching $5 billion equity infusion, half of which came from SpaceX, and managed the expansion of a data center in Memphis. His exit follows a series of high‑profile departures, including general counsel Robert Keele, senior lawyer Raghu Rao, co‑founder Igor Babuschkin, and former X CEO Linda Yaccarino after issues with the Grok chatbot, raising questions about leadership stability at the Musk‑owned AI venture.

Background and Role

Mike Liberatore, formerly an executive at Airbnb, assumed the chief financial officer position at xAI in April. In his tenure, he played a central role in orchestrating a substantial $5 billion debt raise for the company. Complementing the debt financing, Liberatore also helped secure an equivalent $5 billion in equity capital, with roughly half of that equity contribution originating from SpaceX, another Musk‑affiliated enterprise. Beyond financing, he oversaw the expansion of xAI’s data center operations in Memphis, underscoring his involvement in both financial and infrastructure initiatives.

Departure Details

According to reporting from The Wall Street Journal, Liberatore left xAI around the end of July. His departure marks the most recent addition to a string of high‑profile executive exits from the firm. The timing of his exit follows the earlier resignation of xAI’s general counsel, Robert Keele, who departed in August after serving just over a year. Around the same period, senior lawyer Raghu, identified as Raghu Rao, also left the organization.

Other Recent Exits

The turnover extends beyond the legal and finance teams. Co‑founder Igor Babuschkin announced his departure last month, stating his intention to launch a venture capital firm focused on AI safety research. Additionally, Linda Yaccarino, who previously served as chief executive officer of X, resigned in July. Her exit was linked to concerns surrounding the behavior of Grok, xAI’s chatbot that can be accessed through the X platform.

Strategic Context

xAI, the artificial intelligence venture owned by Elon Musk, acquired X in late March, further integrating its operations with Musk’s broader technology ecosystem. The series of leadership changes occurs as the company continues to expand its technical capabilities and financial foundations. Liberatore’s involvement in both the sizable capital raises and the Memphis data center expansion highlights the dual focus on funding growth and scaling hardware resources.

Implications for Leadership Stability

The cumulative departures of senior figures across finance, legal, and executive functions have prompted observers to question the stability of xAI’s leadership team. While the firm has demonstrated a capacity to attract substantial capital, the turnover may affect continuity in strategic execution. The exit of a CFO who managed critical financing and infrastructure projects could necessitate a transition period as a successor assumes responsibility for ongoing initiatives.

Future Outlook

Despite the recent upheaval, xAI remains positioned within Elon Musk’s broader portfolio of technology ventures, benefiting from ties to SpaceX and the X platform. The company’s continued focus on AI development, data center expansion, and capital acquisition suggests an ongoing commitment to scaling its operations. The next steps for xAI will likely involve appointing new leadership to sustain momentum in both financial management and technical growth.