Tesla approved stock awards worth around $3 billion for its board, putting executive compensation back in the spotlight. The awards are designed to reward long-term performance and align leadership incentives with shareholder value, a structure Tesla has defended consistently. However, the sheer size of the package raised eyebrows, especially as the company faces slowing EV demand growth, price competition, and margin pressure across key markets.

The decision reignited a familiar debate around governance and accountability. Supporters argue that Tesla’s outsized ambitions and innovation justify equally bold compensation structures, while critics question timing and optics during a more challenging phase for the business. As always with Tesla, bold choices tend to polarize opinion, but they also reflect a company that remains comfortable operating differently from its peers.