Elon Musk Turns Tesla Call into $1 Trillion Lobbying Event

What started as a standard Tesla earnings call about AI and Optimus robots ended as a personal lobbying event for CEO Elon Musk. The world’s richest person interrupted his CFO to plead for his $1 trillion pay package.
This “classic Musk” maneuver came at the tail end of the 75-minute call, providing a “fiery ending” to an otherwise “ho-hum” discussion. Musk’s focus was clear: the upcoming shareholder vote on Nov. 6 in Austin.
Musk used his platform to attack shareholder advisory firms ISS and Glass Lewis, who have advised against the package. He claimed they “have no freaking clue” and are making “asinine recommendations” that could lead to his ouster.
He justified the package as a need for “strong influence” and voting control, especially as Tesla builds a “robot army.” However, he also added a caveat, saying he didn’t want so much control that he “can’t be fired if I go insane.”
Tesla CFO Vaibhav Taneja had the last word, defending the board’s proposal. Taneja stressed the plan is tied to “substantial returns” for shareholders and, “more than once,” urged investors to vote in favor.