Elon Musk, already the richest man on Earth, just hit a new level of wealth. Tesla shareholders have officially approved a $1 trillion compensation package, setting a new record for the largest executive payout in corporate history.
The deal, which passed with over 75% of shareholder support, rewards Musk for meeting massive growth milestones tied to Tesla’s performance in AI, robotics, and market valuation. If he hits every target, Musk could unlock more than 400 million Tesla shares, tightening his grip on the company he’s led since 2008. The plan essentially bets Tesla’s future on Musk’s continued leadership, ensuring he stays at the helm as the company pushes deeper into automation, humanoid robotics, and self-driving technology.
Supporters say the package reflects Musk’s unmatched ability to deliver results. Critics, meanwhile, call it corporate excess at its peak. Musk’s trillion-dollar windfall comes as he’s been cutting jobs and trimming expenses across his companies, including Tesla and X (formerly Twitter).
The billionaire has defended the layoffs as necessary “efficiency moves,” but the optics have sparked outrage, especially since this isn’t the first time he’s used showmanship to sell tough cuts. Earlier this year, Musk went on stage at a conservative political event, wielding a chainsaw, symbolizing his vow to “cut bureaucracy and waste.”
The moment went viral and became a meme, but for many, it now feels like a metaphor for his management style: bold, brash, and unapologetic. Musk’s new deal doesn’t guarantee immediate cash. It’s structured around long-term performance, meaning he’ll only get the full payout if Tesla reaches unprecedented growth targets, including a market value of $8.5 trillion.
Still, the approval cements his dominance not just at Tesla, but across the global business landscape. For now, Musk remains both a symbol of innovation and a lightning rod for controversy, the man who can raise a company to the stars while cutting jobs on the ground.
