Watch: Elon Musk dances with Tesla robots after $1tr vote for world’s first trillionaire
His stake could nearly double to 30% under new compensation plan
DUBAI – Elon Musk is now officially on track to become the world’s first trillionaire after Tesla shareholders approved a record-breaking $1 trillion pay package.
The vote, held during Tesla’s annual meeting on Thursday, saw over 75% of investors back the compensation deal, despite plunging sales and mounting criticism over Musk’s growing influence.
The package ties Musk’s potential earnings to ambitious performance milestones – including boosting Tesla’s market value more than fivefold to $8.5 trillion, producing 20 million vehicles, and deploying one million humanoid robots and robotaxis over the next decade.
Following the vote, Musk celebrated by dancing with Tesla’s Optimus robots, calling it a “fantastic group of shareholders,” while urging investors to “hang on to your Tesla stock.”
#ElonMusk danced with #Tesla's Optimus #robots after shareholders approved his massive US$878 billion pay package. pic.twitter.com/66pUzWo4u0
— Shanghai Daily (@shanghaidaily) November 7, 2025
Performance and power
If Musk achieves all targets, his stake in Tesla will rise from about 13% to nearly 29%, consolidating his control over the company. “It’s not about spending the money,” Musk said earlier, explaining that the deal gives him “strong influence” over Tesla’s future robot army.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 7, 2025
However, analysts warn the operational and financial hurdles are immense. Tesla’s sales plunged across Europe last month, including a 50% drop in Germany, amid growing competition and concerns over Musk’s political activities.
Divided investor response
The compensation plan drew sharp criticism from major institutional investors such as CalPERS and Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, as well as watchdogs Glass Lewis and ISS, who labelled it excessive. Some called it “absurd” that shareholders deemed Musk indispensable without the trillion-dollar promise.
Still, Tesla’s stock, up 80% in the past year, briefly rose after the announcement before stabilising at $445.44 (€385.4).
Musk’s net worth currently stands near $473 billion, according to Forbes – already making him the richest person alive, with the potential to surpass John D. Rockefeller’s inflation-adjusted $630 billion fortune.
Robots and revenues
The Tesla board defended the package as a necessary step to secure the company’s leadership at a “critical inflection point.” Shareholders also approved Tesla’s investment in Musk’s artificial intelligence startup, xAI, underscoring his expanding empire.
If achieved, the compensation plan could mark a historic corporate milestone – and perhaps cement Elon Musk’s name as the first trillionaire in modern history.