Tesla's CEO Elon Musk uses company funds to buy ads on his own platform, X, to persuade shareholders to vote for his unprecedented $1 trillion compensation package.

Tesla is buying ads on Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter) to promote his $1 trillion CEO compensation package. This is a departure from Tesla's stance against advertising, which Musk has criticized as "manipulating public opinion." The ads aim to convince shareholders to vote for the package, which would grant Musk unprecedented control over Tesla. The move has been criticized as a sign of late-stage capitalism.

Tesla has recently launched a marketing campaign on Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter) to promote his newly proposed $1 trillion CEO compensation package. This move marks a departure from Tesla's long-standing stance against advertising, which Musk has previously criticized as a means to "manipulate public opinion." The ads aim to convince shareholders to vote for the package, which would grant Musk unprecedented control over the company. The campaign has sparked debate, with critics labeling it a sign of late-stage capitalism.

Tesla proposed the new compensation package earlier this month, valued at about $1 trillion. The package includes no salary but awards up to 423.7 million shares of Tesla in installments over 10 years when the company meets certain milestones, including an increase in earnings, vehicle deliveries, robotaxis, and humanoid robots Elon Musk Justifies Newly Proposed $1T Pay Package, Says It's Not About ‘Compensation’^[1]. The goal is to deliver approximately 12% more voting power to Musk in exchange for driving performance growth, including taking the company’s total market capitalization to $8.5 trillion Elon Musk Justifies Newly Proposed $1T Pay Package, Says It's Not About ‘Compensation’^[1].

Musk has justified the package, stating, "It’s not about ‘compensation’, but about me having enough influence over Tesla to ensure safety if we build millions of robots" Elon Musk Justifies Newly Proposed $1T Pay Package, Says It's Not About ‘Compensation’^[1]. He is also concerned about a future where he could be ousted by an activist shareholder advisory firm that doesn’t own Tesla shares Elon Musk Justifies Newly Proposed $1T Pay Package, Says It's Not About ‘Compensation’^[1].

The proposed package comes after Musk’s previous pay package, initially approved in 2018 and valued at over $50 billion, was voided by a Delaware court, which deemed it excessive Elon Musk Justifies Newly Proposed $1T Pay Package, Says It's Not About ‘Compensation’^[1]. Musk appealed the court’s order in March, and Tesla established a special committee to consider matters concerning Musk’s pay, including evaluating a new pay package Elon Musk Justifies Newly Proposed $1T Pay Package, Says It's Not About ‘Compensation’^[1].

The campaign on X follows Musk's recent insider purchase of 2.57 million Tesla shares for about $1 billion, which sparked a surge in stock prices Tesla Stock Soars to 2025 Highs, Targets ATH as Musk and China Growth Fuel Momentum^[3]. Tesla shares have surged to their strongest levels since February, lifted by Musk's insider purchase, improving sales momentum in China, and optimism around third-quarter deliveries and autonomous driving progress Tesla Stock Soars to 2025 Highs, Targets ATH as Musk and China Growth Fuel Momentum^[3].

Critics argue that the marketing effort is an attempt to sway shareholders, potentially undermining Tesla's independence and integrity. However, proponents believe the package is necessary to align Musk's interests with those of the company and shareholders.

Tesla shareholders will now vote on the package, with the decision expected to have significant implications for the company's future direction and Musk's role within it.