Bloomberg Talks Tesla Chairman of the Board Talks Elon Musk's Compensation Package and Future at Company
Oct 28, 2025
Robyn Denholm, Chair of Tesla's board of directors, dives into Elon Musk's eye-popping $1 trillion compensation package. She highlights how his pay is tied to ambitious performance milestones, emphasizing that Musk only earns if he meets them. Denholm also discusses Tesla's succession planning, acknowledging there’s no one quite like Musk, and the challenges of finding a suitable backup. Additionally, she explains the strategic integration of energy metrics in performance goals and the importance of Musk's voting influence due to his exceptional expertise.
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Pay Package Is Performance-Based
- Robyn Denholm frames the $1 trillion plan as a performance package, not a guaranteed payout.
- Elon receives awards only if he meets audacious, predefined milestones tied to company performance.
Voting Influence Drives The Debate
- Denholm says the package is also about securing Elon’s voting influence, not just economic gain.
- Elon has publicly tied a 'no' vote to questions about his future leadership and voting control.
Evaluate Succession Plans, Not Just Pay
- The board emphasizes ongoing succession planning and 'a plan for a plan' embedded in the performance structure.
- Investors should evaluate both the performance metrics and the succession safeguards when voting.