Musk’s $878B Tesla Pay Deal Depends on Shareholders’ Vote

Tesla shareholders will vote on Thursday on whether to approve a pay package for CEO Elon Musk that could reach up to $878 billion, making it the largest executive compensation in history. The vote coincides with several other proposals that could significantly influence Tesla’s future, including changes to the board’s authority and potential investment in Musk’s artificial intelligence startup, xAI.

The pay vote results are expected during the annual general meeting at Tesla’s factory in Austin, Texas. If approved, the compensation package would serve as a vote of confidence in Musk’s leadership and his vision of transforming Tesla into an AI and robotics powerhouse. Conversely, rejection could cause upheaval.

Musk’s proposed pay relies on Tesla hitting ambitious milestones, such as delivering 20 million vehicles over ten years, and integrating a million robotaxis on roads. Tesla’s valuation would need to soar from over $1.5 trillion to as much as $8.5 trillion. Supporters argue these goals are achievable and beneficial for investors, especially since Musk can vote his approximately 15% stake. However, some major investors, including Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, oppose the package, deeming it excessive.

Tesla’s board indicated Musk could resign if the package isn’t approved. Shareholders will also vote on a proposal to replace Musk’s current (and court-challenged) pay plan with a new one if the court rejects the existing scheme.

Another proposal concerns Tesla’s investment in xAI, Musk’s AI startup, which the board has not endorsed. Shareholders will decide whether such a move enhances Tesla’s AI ambitions or creates conflicts of interest.

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Finally, investors will vote on eliminating Tesla’s supermajority voting requirement, replacing it with a simple majority. Past attempts to change this rule failed, but the outcome will reveal how much influence Musk still maintains over Tesla’s governance.