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TBD | Why Tesla Is Paying Elon a Trillion Bucks

6 snips
Nov 9, 2025
Faiz Siddiqui, a technology reporter at The Washington Post and author of "Hubris Maximus," dives into the recent approval of a staggering $1 trillion pay package for Elon Musk. They discuss Musk's volatile relationship with government officials, the implications of his public feuds, and how he keeps navigating controversies. Siddiqui also highlights challenges faced by Tesla and SpaceX, including regulatory hurdles and missed milestones. The conversation wraps up with insights on Musk’s ambitious plans and the risks tied to his impulsive decisions.
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ANECDOTE

Musk's Public Feud With Transportation Secretary

  • After Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy criticized SpaceX timelines, Elon Musk responded by posting a juvenile meme and insulting Duffy publicly.
  • Musk also pinned the tweet, escalating a feud with officials who control critical contracts.
INSIGHT

Board Locks In Musk With Giant Pay Plan

  • Tesla's board approved a $1 trillion package to lock Elon Musk into the company for the next decade.
  • The package both secures Musk's role and signals a shift to broader tech bets beyond autos.
INSIGHT

Political Stunts Hurt Tesla Demand

  • Musk's political entanglements earlier weakened Tesla's demand and strained the empire.
  • His re-engagement aimed to stabilize operations, but the overall empire remained fragile in places.
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