In a fiery conclusion to a Tesla earnings call, CEO Elon Musk made a personal appeal for his $1 trillion pay package, claiming he needs it to protect his control over the company’s “robot army.”
The world’s richest person interrupted his CFO at the end of the 75-minute call, which had previously been a standard discussion of AI, Optimus robots, and robotaxis. Musk’s interruption turned the spotlight squarely onto his controversial compensation.
Musk attacked shareholder advisory firms ISS and Glass Lewis, which have recommended against the package. “I just don’t feel comfortable building a robot army here and then being ousted because of some asinine recommendations from ISS and Glass Lewis,” Musk said, adding they “have no freaking clue.”
He argued for “enough voting control to give a strong influence” but conceded he shouldn’t be immune to removal. Musk clarified he didn’t want so much control that he “can’t be fired if I go insane.”
Shareholders will have the final say at the annual meeting in Austin on Nov. 6. Tesla CFO Vaibhav Taneja ended the call by urging investors to vote in favor, arguing the plan was structured by the board to require “substantial returns” for shareholders before Musk gets any benefit.
