Elon Musk couldn’t contain his excitement after Tesla shareholders approved the largest corporate pay package in history — worth a staggering $1 trillion. The billionaire CEO broke into a lively dance alongside humanoid robots during the company’s annual meeting at its Austin, Texas factory.
The monumental vote gives Musk access to stock options that could make him the world’s first trillionaire, though the after-tax value is expected to drop to around $878 billion. Investors’ approval underscores confidence in Musk’s vision of transforming Tesla from an electric car manufacturer into an artificial intelligence and robotics powerhouse.
The pay deal is seen as a crucial step in securing Tesla’s future as it doubles down on self-driving vehicles, humanoid robots, and a potential robotaxi network across the United States. Despite recent controversies over Musk’s political views and his brief stint in Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), shareholders appear undeterred.
Tesla shares have risen about 14% this year, with the company’s valuation climbing more than 20%. Musk, who owns roughly 12% of Tesla, continues to benefit from the company’s growth, as well as his stakes in SpaceX and xAI — both multi-billion-dollar ventures.
In January, Tesla shares traded at $427.90 but dipped to $220.67 during Musk’s political controversies. Since stepping away from his government role in May, he has returned to focus fully on Tesla’s expansion.
At this pace, analysts say Musk could become the first individual in history to amass a trillion-dollar net worth — a milestone he seemed to celebrate early with his trademark flair and rhythm.
