In a move that has stunned Wall Street and electrified the tech world, Tesla’s board of directors has unanimously approved one of the largest CEO compensation packages in corporate history — a restricted stock award of 96 million shares, currently valued at roughly $29 billion USD.
The decision, announced on August 4, 2025, comes as part of an interim CEO compensation plan designed to secure Elon Musk’s leadership through 2027. The package is contingent on Musk staying at the helm during what insiders describe as a “make-or-break era” for the company.
Why now?
Tesla is facing headwinds on multiple fronts:
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Flagging EV sales as global competition from Chinese and European automakers intensifies.
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Shifting strategic focus toward autonomous driving, energy storage, and robotics — sectors that require massive R&D investment.
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Regulatory and governance scrutiny from both U.S. and international agencies, questioning corporate transparency and board independence.
Board Statement:
“Elon Musk’s vision and execution have been central to Tesla’s global leadership in sustainable technology. This award reflects our unwavering commitment to retaining him as CEO during a critical period of transformation.”
The stock grant — by far the largest equity incentive in Tesla’s history — has already sparked heated debate among investors, analysts, and the public. Supporters call it a necessary investment to keep the company’s visionary founder focused on Tesla amid his commitments to SpaceX, X (formerly Twitter), and xAI. Critics, however, say the award is excessive given Tesla’s recent market challenges.
Market Reaction:
Tesla shares initially surged 5% in after-hours trading following the announcement, but analysts warn the rally may be short-lived if sales data for Q3 fails to impress.
With this unprecedented package, Tesla is making a high-stakes bet: that keeping Musk in the driver’s seat — literally and figuratively — is worth $29 billion. Whether shareholders will see that value returned remains to be seen.
What do you think? Is this genius corporate strategy or reckless spending? Drop your take below.
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