Tesla investors have approved a record-breaking compensation plan for Elon Musk that could reach nearly $1 trillion. The deal, backed by 75% of votes at Thursday’s annual meeting, drew loud applause and excitement from attendees.
Musk, already the world’s richest individual, must dramatically increase Tesla’s market value over the next ten years to unlock the full payout. If he achieves all performance targets, he will receive hundreds of millions of new Tesla shares.
Critics have called the plan excessive, but Tesla’s board insisted the company cannot risk losing Musk’s leadership.
Musk celebrates on stage in Austin
After the vote, Musk appeared on stage in Austin, Texas, dancing as the audience chanted his name. “We’re not just opening a new chapter for Tesla; we’re writing an entirely new book,” he said.
He added, “Other shareholder meetings are dull. Ours are electrifying. Look at this energy!”
To earn the full payout, Musk must raise Tesla’s market capitalization from $1.4 trillion to $8.5 trillion and deploy one million fully self-driving Robotaxi vehicles.
Optimus robot becomes the focus
Musk shifted attention from Tesla’s electric vehicles to the company’s humanoid robot, Optimus, surprising analysts who expected updates on Tesla’s car operations.
“Let it sink in where Musk’s focus is,” wrote Gene Munster, managing partner at Deepwater Asset Management, on X. “His vision starts with Optimus. Still no mention of cars, self-driving, or robotaxis.”
Later, Musk briefly discussed Tesla’s full self-driving software, saying the company was “almost comfortable” allowing drivers to “text and drive essentially.”
Regulators continue self-driving investigations
US authorities are investigating Tesla’s self-driving system after reports of vehicles running red lights or driving on the wrong side of the road. Some incidents resulted in crashes and injuries.
Despite scrutiny, Tesla shares rose slightly in after-hours trading and have climbed more than 60% over the past six months.
Politics and public perception challenge Tesla
Tesla’s sales have declined over the past year following Musk’s public support for former US President Donald Trump. Their later falling-out added more attention to Musk’s public image.
Investor Ross Gerber, CEO of Gerber Kawasaki, described Musk’s pay plan as “another unbelievable chapter in corporate history.” He said Tesla faces financial and brand challenges despite Musk’s ambitious goals.
Gerber questioned whether the market for humanoid robots is strong and highlighted competition from robotaxi companies like Waymo.
He added that his firm reduced Tesla holdings, saying, “Musk’s polarising persona has damaged the brand. Elon seems unaware of how unpopular he has become.”
Analysts reaffirm support for Musk
Dan Ives, senior analyst at Wedbush Securities, described Musk as “Tesla’s most valuable asset.” In a note after the vote, he said, “Tesla’s AI-driven value is now being unlocked. The next growth phase has begun.”
Musk already owns about 13% of Tesla shares. Shareholders had previously approved another multibillion-dollar pay plan tied to a tenfold increase in company value—a milestone Musk achieved.
Legal challenges and Texas relocation
A Delaware judge struck down the previous pay plan, ruling Tesla’s board was too closely connected to Musk. Tesla later reincorporated in Texas. The Delaware Supreme Court is reviewing the lower court’s decision.
The new plan faced opposition from major institutional investors, including Norway’s sovereign wealth fund and the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, the largest US public pension fund.
With major investors opposed, Musk relied heavily on Tesla’s large retail shareholder base to secure approval.
Tesla board campaigns to support Musk
Musk and his brother Kimbal, a board member, were both eligible to vote at Thursday’s meeting. In the weeks leading up to the vote, Tesla directors launched a campaign encouraging shareholders to approve the package.
A video on votetesla.com featured board chair Robyn Denholm and director Kathleen Wilson-Thompson praising Musk’s leadership and long-term vision. Governance experts criticized the campaign for blurring the line between shareholder communication and promotional marketing.
