Elon Musk is back in the headlines, this time not for a new Tesla model or a robot update, but for a $1 trillion remuneration package that might redefine his influence over the company. On November 6, Tesla investors will vote at the annual Shareholder Meeting to determine if Musk merits this record-breaking contract. If approved, the plan would boost Musk’s ownership to over 27%, securing his leadership and influence for years to come. The package reflects not just financial gain but also Musk’s demand for authority to drive Tesla’s future in robotics and artificial intelligence.
According to Musk, the issue is “not about money but authority.” He believes significant voting power is required to carry forward Tesla’s next phase, which might include a robot army and millions of robotaxis. However, not everyone agrees.
Analysts Predict the Plan Will Pass
Financial analyst Gary Black from the Future Fund believes the approval is almost guaranteed. He stated:
“There is a near-zero chance that $TSLA shareholders will vote down Elon’s new proposed comp plan at the Nov 6 shareholders’ meeting.”
This optimism highlights the strong loyalty Tesla investors have toward Musk. Despite controversies and past pay disputes, many view him as the company’s driving force. Another analyst, Dan Ives of Wedbush, jokingly said he had a better chance of “starting for the New York Yankees” than Musk’s plan being rejected — showing just how confident experts are in Musk’s influence.
Elon Musk Fires Back at Critics
In a recent earnings call, Musk didn’t hold back. He referred to proxy firms ISS and Glass Lewis as “corporate terrorists” for opposing his pay plan. The bold comment added more fuel to the fire just weeks before the shareholder vote.
Musk insists his motivation isn’t the cash but the freedom to lead Tesla toward its ambitious future. He even said he wants “mid-20s% voting power” enough to guide major decisions but not enough to make him “untouchable” if he “goes insane.”
Echoes from the Past
This is hardly Musk’s first dispute over salary. In early 2024, a Delaware court invalidated his $55 billion compensation proposal from 2018, declaring it “unfathomable” and an example of boardroom overreach. Many investors now regard Musk’s new plan as his second attempt to resolve the unfinished business.
But this time, the stakes are much higher—both monetarily and symbolically. The impending vote is not solely about Musk’s remuneration. It’s about selecting whether Tesla’s identity should remain centered on one man’s vision.
Power or Progress?
Supporters argue the plan is about enabling big leaps. The logic goes:
- Tesla’s future isn’t just electric cars, but also robot taxis, humanoid robots, and full-scale AI systems. Musk has repeatedly pointed to these as the next frontier.
- The proposed milestones (a multi-trillion dollar market cap, millions of robots in service) are massive. They suggest that Musk only wins if Tesla delivers world-changing results.
- From this angle, giving Musk a big stake and serious voting power aligns his interests with Tesla’s long-term success. If he succeeds, Tesla succeeds — so the argument goes.
On the flip side, skeptics see the package as shifting too much authority into one person’s hands. Key concerns include:
- The plan would give Musk nearly 29 % ownership and a “mid-20s” voting share if milestones are met. That level of concentration reduces checks and balances.
- Proxy-advisory firms like Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) and Glass Lewis & Co. argue the plan lacks traditional guardrails. They fear a scenario where Musk’s vision overrides strong corporate governance.
- The previous case: Musk’s 2018 compensation plan was struck down by Delaware’s Chancery Court, quoted as “unfathomable” and an overreach. That precedent increases wariness about repeating governance mistakes.
The November 6 vote will mark more than just a financial milestone. It will reveal whether shareholders trust Musk enough to give him $1 trillion worth of control and whether they believe Tesla’s future truly depends on keeping him unchallenged at the top.
