Elon Musk’s $1trn pay deal is a troubling display of corporate capture

Elon Musk’s $1 Trillion Pay Deal: A Troubling Display of Corporate Capture

Elon Musk, Tesla’s outspoken leader, captivated audiences at the company’s annual meeting on November 6th. His showmanship was on full display as he shared the stage with one of Tesla’s Optimus androids, moving to a funk soundtrack in front of cheering shareholders.

“Other shareholder meetings are like snooze fests,” declared Elon Musk. “Ours are bangers.”

Musk’s charisma and dominance over Tesla’s board highlight how firmly he controls the company. Critics argue that such influence underscores a deeper issue of corporate power concentration, marking a concerning example of what some call corporate capture.

Meanwhile, broader economic and industrial shifts are unfolding in the United States. The government, under President Donald Trump, is raising costs to protect domestic industries that have already adjusted to globalisation. This move raises questions about the sustainability of America’s traditional economic strategies.

Elsewhere, research reveals intriguing insights into hiring trends. A recent study suggests that a single photograph can reveal much about a job applicant’s personality, adding another layer of complexity to modern recruitment practices.

Corporate valuations also continue to spark debate. Some analysts describe Tesla’s market worth as inflated, pointing to a disconnect between its rapid growth and its underlying business fundamentals. In contrast, Pop Mart, the Chinese toymaker behind wildly popular collectible figures, is ambitiously positioning itself as “China’s Disney.”

Author’s Summary

Musk’s influence at Tesla epitomizes corporate dominance amid global economic reshaping and shifting industrial strategies in the United States and China.

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The Economist The Economist — 2025-11-07

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