Elon Musk Blasts Advisory Firms While Pushing for $1 Trillion Tesla Compensation

Tesla’s latest earnings call concluded with fireworks as Elon Musk took control of the conversation to denounce proxy advisory firms and rally support for his unprecedented compensation package. The passionate speech came just days before shareholders convene on November 6 to decide the fate of the trillion-dollar proposal.
The earnings call had progressed normally through discussions of Tesla’s cutting-edge technology initiatives, including artificial intelligence applications and the development of Optimus humanoid robots. However, Musk chose the closing moments to pivot toward his personal stakes in the company’s future.
Musk articulated his concern about maintaining sufficient influence over Tesla’s strategic decisions while simultaneously acknowledging the importance of checks and balances. His comment about ensuring he could “be fired if I go insane” demonstrated his awareness of governance concerns while maintaining his characteristic irreverent tone.
The CEO reserved his harshest criticism for ISS and Glass Lewis, suggesting these advisory firms lack the expertise to evaluate Tesla’s unique business model. Musk’s frustration centered on the idea that external advisors could potentially undermine his vision for Tesla’s future, particularly regarding advanced robotics and AI development.
Tesla’s financial leadership sought to frame the compensation debate in terms of shareholder value. Taneja emphasized that the board structured Musk’s pay package to create perfect alignment between executive compensation and investor returns, ensuring that Musk profits only when Tesla’s shareholders profit substantially. The CFO made repeated pleas for shareholder approval in his closing remarks.