Tesla(US:TSLA) Benzinga·2025-11-20 09:00Core Viewpoint - Tesla CEO Elon Musk's compensation package, potentially worth $1 trillion over the next decade, has drawn significant criticism, particularly regarding its disparity compared to the earnings of U.S. elementary school teachers [1][2][4]. Compensation Package Details - Musk's pay package consists of 12 tranches linked to specific milestones that Tesla must achieve for him to receive payment. Even if Tesla fails to meet all targets, Musk could still earn billions from some of the less challenging milestones [3]. Criticism and Support - Criticism has come from various figures, including Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez and Sen. Bernie Sanders, who highlighted the wealth gap between billionaires and average Americans, as well as concerns about the impact of technology on jobs [4][6]. - Support for Musk's compensation has been voiced by investors like Cathie Wood of ARK Invest and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who praised Musk as a significant entrepreneur of the current generation [8]. Investor Reactions - Proxy advisors such as Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) and Glass Lewis, along with major investors like Norway's Sovereign Wealth Fund and CalPERS, expressed concerns regarding the pay package prior to the shareholder vote [7]. Market Performance - Tesla's stock price showed a positive trend, closing at $403.99, with an after-hours increase to $410.50, indicating favorable market sentiment despite the ongoing debate over Musk's compensation [10].