Elon Musk Defends $1 Trillion Tesla Pay Package and Criticizes Advisory Firms During Earnings Call

Oct 25, 2025 03:37 pm CST

During Tesla's recent earnings call, CEO Elon Musk made an unexpected appeal to investors to approve his proposed $1 trillion compensation package, arguing it's necessary to maintain sufficient voting control for Tesla's future. Following disappointing third-quarter results showing a 40% drop in operating income, Musk criticized advisory firms recommending against the package. The unprecedented compensation plan will be decided by shareholders on November 6, as the world's richest man seeks to secure his influence over Tesla's artificial intelligence and robotics initiatives.