Elon Musk’s Trillion-Dollar Ambition Faces “Corporate Terrorist” Resistance as Tesla Pivots to AI Dominance

Musk’s Trillionaire Path Hinges on Unprecedented Pay Package Vote

Elon Musk stands at the precipice of becoming the world’s first trillionaire, but his path to this historic financial milestone faces significant opposition from unexpected quarters. The Tesla CEO’s proposed $1 trillion compensation package, set for investor vote on November 6, has drawn fierce criticism from proxy advisors while revealing Musk’s deeper ambitions for controlling influence over Tesla’s future direction., according to technology trends

During Wednesday’s third-quarter earnings call, Musk framed the compensation debate not as a wealth accumulation strategy but as a necessary step toward securing adequate voting power. “I don’t feel comfortable building that robot army if I don’t have at least a strong influence,” Musk stated, specifying he’s seeking voting control in the “mid-20s approximately.” His current 13.5% stake would grow by an additional 12% over the next decade if investors approve the package., according to according to reports

Proxy Advisors Branded “Corporate Terrorists” in Heated Exchange

The compensation proposal faces stiff resistance from influential proxy advisory firms Institutional Shareholder Services and Glass Lewis, both of which have recommended investors reject the plan. Their concerns center on potential dilution of company value and transparency issues surrounding the proposal’s specifics. Musk didn’t mince words in his response, labeling both firms “corporate terrorists” during the earnings call.

This confrontation highlights the growing tension between Musk’s visionary ambitions and traditional corporate governance structures. The disagreement comes at a critical juncture for Tesla as the company navigates shifting market conditions and intensifying competition in both electric vehicles and emerging technologies.

Optimus Robots: Tesla’s “Infinite Money Glitch”

Central to Musk’s argument for increased control is Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot project, which the CEO described in almost miraculous terms. Musk announced that Optimus V3 robots will debut early next year, calling them “an infinite money glitch” while making extraordinary claims about their capabilities., according to related news

“It won’t even seem like a robot. It’ll seem like a person in a robot suit,” Musk claimed. “It’ll seem so real that you’ll need to, like, poke it, I think, to believe that it’s actually a robot.” He projected these robots could achieve “probably 5x the productivity of a person per year” and even perform as “incredible surgeons.”, according to recent studies

This emphasis on robotics represents a strategic pivot for Tesla as the company faces headwinds in its core automotive business. The elimination of EV tax credits and what Tesla executives described as profit-denting tariffs have prompted increased focus on AI and robotics as future value drivers.

Robotaxis: Scaling Amid Regulatory Challenges

Musk provided ambitious timelines for Tesla’s autonomous vehicle initiatives, stating the company expects to remove safety drivers from robotaxis “at least in large parts of Austin by the end of this year.” The service currently operates in Austin and San Francisco with human safety monitors as backup.

The expansion plans are equally aggressive, with Tesla targeting eight to ten metro areas by year’s end, including Nevada, Florida, and Arizona. Musk noted that new markets would retain safety monitors for approximately the first three months of operation. This expansion puts Tesla in direct competition with Waymo, which currently operates in five metropolitan areas with plans for five additional locations.

Autonomous Driving Claims and Competitive Landscape

Musk’s bold assertions about Tesla’s autonomous capabilities came just hours after competitor GM unveiled plans for “eyes-off” electric vehicles by 2028. Throughout the earnings call, Musk worked to reassure investors about Tesla’s AI and self-driving scaling, claiming the company has achieved “clarity” on unsupervised full self-driving.

“At this point I feel 100% confident that we can solve unsupervised full self-driving at a safety level much greater than any human,” Musk stated. He further claimed that Tesla’s autonomous vehicles will outperform humans in identifying parking spaces due to “360 degree vision and advanced intelligence.”

Musk’s confidence extended to broader AI comparisons, where he asserted that “Tesla has the highest intelligence density” and that “Tesla AI is probably an order of magnitude better than anyone else” when measuring intelligence per gigabyte.

The Bigger Picture: Tesla’s Strategic Transformation

The earnings call revealed Tesla’s accelerating transition from an electric vehicle manufacturer to an AI and robotics company. While vehicle deliveries reached record numbers this past quarter, profits suffered due to multiple external factors, accelerating the company’s strategic shift.

Musk’s compensation battle represents more than just personal wealth accumulation—it’s a referendum on his vision for Tesla’s future. The proposed package would give him unprecedented influence over a company that’s increasingly betting its future on technologies that remain largely unproven at scale., as previous analysis

As investors prepare for the November vote, they must weigh Musk’s track record of ambitious claims against his demonstrated ability to disrupt multiple industries. The outcome will likely shape not just Musk’s personal fortune but the trajectory of one of the world’s most watched technology companies.

References & Further Reading

This article draws from multiple authoritative sources. For more information, please consult:

• https://www.fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2025/10/22/tesla-tsla-q3-2025-earnings-call-transcript/

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