Elon Musk threatens to leave Tesla and announces plans for an “enormous robot army”

The Tesla CEO wants more control over the company, and plans to build an “enormous robot army.”

Robot Army

Elon Musk says he has two major concerns: gaining greater control over Tesla and ensuring he is not excluded from decisions related to building a “robot army.”

“If I go ahead and build this enormous robot army, can I just be ousted at some point in the future? If we build this robot army, do I have at least a strong influence over this robot army? Not control, but a strong influence … I don't feel comfortable building that robot army unless I have a strong influence.”

Control Over Tesla

Musk also threatened to leave Tesla if shareholders do not approve a new compensation package that could be worth up to $1 trillion over the next decade.

Elon Musk threatens to leave Tesla if denied $1 trillion payout

Elon Musk has reportedly threatened to step down as Tesla’s CEO unless he receives a $1 trillion compensation package.

Durov's CodeDaria Ivanova

The package involves phased stock awards that would increase Musk’s ownership stake in Tesla from 13% to 25%. Each tranche is tied to a $500 billion increase in the company’s market capitalization.

He would receive the full 12% share package only if Tesla meets several ambitious goals:

• The company’s market cap reaches $8.5 trillion (currently just over $1 trillion)
• Adjusted EBITDA climbs to $400 billion by 2035
• Tesla delivers 20 million electric vehicles
• The company produces 1 million robotaxis and 1 million Optimus humanoid robots

Board Chair Robyn Denholm said retaining and motivating Musk is essential for Tesla to become “the most valuable company in history.”

Tesla’s annual shareholder meeting is set for November 6, when investors will vote on the compensation plan proposed by the board to keep Musk at the company.