Teslas drive themselves under your supervision
For a fraction of what gas cars cost to run
— Tesla (@Tesla) September 8, 2025
Tesla’s board has proposed a groundbreaking pay package for CEO Elon Musk that could make him the world’s first trillionaire. The compensation plan, tied to a series of ambitious performance milestones over the next 10 years, is likely the largest in U.S. corporate history. To receive the full payout, Musk must lead Tesla to a market valuation of $8.6 trillion by 2035, deliver 20 million vehicles, including one million self-driving robotaxis and a million AI bots, and develop a framework for naming his successor.
The compensation will be entirely in the form of Tesla shares, with no salary or cash bonuses. “This is a ridiculously large pay package. It raises lots of questions,” said Brian Quinn, a professor at Boston College Law School.
Larry Ellison of Oracle overtakes Elon Musk as worlds richest 💵
Ellison’s net worth soared $101B this morning taking his net worth to 393
Ahead of Musk who sits at $385 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index
@elonmusk$orcl https://t.co/tk6n22DqUo
— Susan Li (@SusanLiTV) September 10, 2025
Tesla proposes historic compensation package
Despite the concerns, Quinn expects shareholders to approve the plan, given Tesla’s stock performance. The proposal comes amid ongoing legal battles over Musk’s previous compensation packages.
I Need Sufficient Voting Control at Tesla — It’s Not a Money Thing, It’s About the Future of the Company" — Elon Musk pic.twitter.com/IxAgcQM3Da
— Tesla Owners Silicon Valley (@teslaownersSV) September 11, 2025
"Elon Musk's title of world's richest man is under threat after Oracle's Larry Ellison added $70 billion to his fortune in one day" … crazy gains in a day! $ORCL
The grand old 'young' man of Silicon Valley for six decades! https://t.co/FQPlYyNBc8 pic.twitter.com/lrJfdlITHt
— Amit Paranjape (@aparanjape) September 10, 2025
In 2018, Tesla proposed a 10-year plan worth nearly $56 billion, which has faced multiple court challenges over allegations of unfair negotiation and Musk’s influence on the board’s decision. Tesla’s financial prospects have been volatile, affected by Musk’s political activities and increased competition in the electric vehicle market. The company’s quarterly profits recently fell significantly, raising concerns among investors.
Nevertheless, Musk’s strategic vision and leadership remain central to Tesla’s future, prompting the board’s ambitious proposal designed to align his interests with the company’s long-term success. The compensation plan will be put to a shareholder vote on November 6.
