Tesla Board Approves $29B Stock Award for Elon Musk

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AUG 4

Above: Elon Musk at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center in Paris, on June 16, 2023. Image copyright: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images

story last updated AUG 5

The Spin

Narrative A

This compensation package represents a necessary strategic move to retain Tesla's most valuable asset during a critical transformation period. The intensifying AI talent war demands competitive compensation to keep visionary leadership focused on Tesla's pivot from traditional automaking to robotics and artificial intelligence. Without Musk's proven track record of revolutionary innovation across multiple industries, Tesla risks losing its competitive edge in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

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Narrative B

The massive payout raises serious concerns about corporate governance and shareholder value, especially given Tesla's declining performance and Musk's divided attention across multiple ventures. It's unlikely that any executive deserves such extraordinary compensation when the company's core business struggles with falling sales and compressed margins. The board's decision appears to reward mediocre results while ignoring fundamental business challenges that require operational focus rather than financial incentives.

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