Is Elon Musk's $1 Trillion Pay Package Worth It for His 'Robot Army' Vision?

Core Viewpoint - Elon Musk defended his proposed $1 trillion pay package during Tesla's earnings call, labeling dissenters as 'corporate terrorists' and emphasizing his desire for greater control over the company, particularly in relation to AI development [1][2][3][8]. Group 1: Musk's Pay Package Demand - Tesla shareholders are expected to vote on Musk's unprecedented $1 trillion pay package, despite concerns over his recent performance as CEO [3]. - Musk clarified that the pay package is not about personal wealth but about ensuring he has maximum control over Tesla, especially regarding AI initiatives [3][5]. Group 2: Corporate Governance and Advisory Firms - Musk criticized proxy advisory firms ISS and Glass Lewis, claiming they lack understanding and influence shareholder decisions against his pay proposal [2][7]. - The tension between corporate leaders and advisory firms is highlighted, with Musk framing the pay challenge as a broader issue of corporate governance and shareholder interests [8]. Group 3: Support from Tesla's CFO - Tesla's CFO, Vaibhav Taneja, supported Musk's pay structure, stating that Musk will only benefit if shareholders see substantial returns, emphasizing the alignment of interests [6]. - Taneja urged shareholders to back Musk's proposal, arguing it is essential for maintaining the company's progress in autonomous vehicles, AI, and robotics [6].