In a historic decision, Tesla shareholders have officially approved CEO Elon Musk’s unprecedented compensation package worth up to $1 trillion (₩1,400 trillion). This performance-based plan is contingent on Tesla achieving a series of extraordinary milestones — including a market capitalization of $8.5 trillion, 20 million vehicles delivered, 1 million humanoid robots deployed, and 10 million Full Self-Driving (FSD) subscriptions.
Despite opposition from major institutions such as Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, shareholders overwhelmingly voted in favor. The move reflects not just confidence in Musk’s leadership, but recognition that Musk himself is Tesla’s most valuable asset — the driving force behind its futuristic vision of autonomous mobility, robotics, and artificial intelligence.
Why Did Shareholders Approve Such an Astronomical Pay Package?
Critics argue that the compensation is excessive — and rightly so. A $1 trillion payout would dwarf even John D. Rockefeller’s peak net worth, making it the largest in corporate history. Yet shareholders’ approval reveals a deeper rationality: the belief that Musk’s presence is irreplaceable.
Tesla’s board warned that rejecting the plan might push Musk to exit the company. Musk himself hinted that without influence over Tesla’s humanoid robot program, “Optimus,” he would feel “uncomfortable.” Shareholders understood the subtext: without Musk, Tesla’s dream of reshaping mobility and labor through automation could collapse. Their vote wasn’t about the money — it was about securing the company’s future dominance in technology.
The Compensation Plan as a Roadmap to Tesla’s New Vision
This isn’t a typical CEO bonus tied to stock price growth. Each condition encapsulates a tangible part of Tesla’s long-term roadmap:
Market Cap of $8.5 Trillion: A sixfold jump from today’s ~$1.5 trillion valuation — achievable only if Tesla transcends the definition of an automaker.
20 Million Vehicles Delivered: More than double all vehicles Tesla has ever produced — signaling full entry into the global automotive elite.
10 Million FSD Subscriptions & 1 Million Robotaxis: Marks Tesla’s dominance in software and autonomous mobility, paving the way for a high-margin, subscription-based revenue model.
1 Million Humanoid Robots (“Optimus”) Deployed: Musk’s most ambitious bet — introducing robots as a mainstream labor force and redefining productivity itself.
In essence, Musk will only receive this colossal payout once Tesla has reshaped humanity’s transportation, labor, and intelligence infrastructure — and shareholders clearly believe the upside far outweighs the cost.
Beyond Rationality: A Bold Bet on the Future
Should Musk achieve every milestone, his net worth would likely exceed Rockefeller’s inflation-adjusted $630 billion fortune. While Rockefeller symbolized the energy revolution of the 19th century, Musk represents the new industrial age — spanning renewable energy, space exploration, AI, and robotics.
Instead of being awed by the $1 trillion figure, investors should focus on what it represents: a reward for advancing human innovation, not just generating profit.
After the Vote: Stock Surge and Market Sentiment
Tesla’s shares rose more than 2% in after-hours trading following the announcement — a clear sign of investor optimism. The approval brings several key implications:
Risk Clarity: The threat of Musk’s departure is now off the table.
Long-Term Confidence: Shareholders have publicly endorsed Tesla’s ambitious $8.5 trillion vision.
Renewed Focus on Core Innovations: The inclusion of Optimus and FSD as official performance targets reaffirms their central role in Tesla’s next decade of growth.
Ultimately, this historic decision gives Musk unparalleled motivation and provides investors with a transparent blueprint for Tesla’s future.
Beyond the Numbers
This wasn’t just a shareholder vote — it was a collective affirmation that Musk’s vision is Tesla’s vision. For investors, the key isn’t the $1 trillion figure, but the roadmap behind it: robots, autonomy, and 20 million vehicles. Tracking the progress of these milestones will be essential. Even if just one of them succeeds, Tesla’s market value could skyrocket beyond imagination.