In a stunning revelation during his appearance at the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha, Elon Musk addressed one of the most controversial aspects of his career: his $56 billion pay package from Tesla.

Musk, who is currently at the helm of multiple high-profile companies like SpaceX, faced pointed questions about his future at Tesla, his focus on the company amidst other ventures, and the massive salary package he stands to receive.

The interview, which took place on a Tuesday in May, showcased Musk’s usual confidence and candidness. However, it also raised more questions about his leadership and the state of Tesla as it faces multiple challenges.

When asked whether he would continue to lead Tesla for the next five years, Musk responded affirmatively, saying, “Yes.” However, when pressed further about the possibility of doubts regarding his future at the helm of Tesla, Musk’s response was blunt and dark: “Well, I could die.”

It was a sharp, yet fitting comment from a man who, over the years, has grown accustomed to navigating uncertainty and high-stakes scenarios. Musk, who also leads other groundbreaking ventures like SpaceX and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been spreading his attention thin, with some investors expressing concern over his focus on Tesla amidst his other ventures.

The electric car maker recently reported a 13% drop in sales during the first quarter of the year—the sharpest decline in the company’s history. Despite the concerns from investors, Musk doubled down on his vision for the company’s future.He emphasized that the long-term focus for Tesla lay in two key areas: autonomous technology and Optimus, the humanoid robot project Tesla is developing. According to Musk, these technologies would be the core drivers of Tesla’s success in the years to come.

He mentioned that the widespread adoption of robotaxi services would likely occur within five years, a statement that echoed past remarks Musk made about Tesla’s self-driving cars and robotaxis.

However, many of Musk’s previous bold predictions about timelines for autonomous vehicles and robotaxis have not materialized as expected. Musk himself acknowledged this at a recent event, stating that his previous predictions had been “too optimistic.”

The most contentious part of the interview, however, centered around Musk’s $56 billion pay package, which had been the subject of a Delaware court ruling. The court had previously rejected Tesla’s plan to award Musk a compensation package worth $56 billion, arguing that the package was excessively large.Musk and Tesla had argued that the pay package was necessary to keep him focused on the company and ensure his continued leadership. In response to these claims, Musk explained that the pay package was not about the money, but about power and control.

He asserted that the compensation was directly tied to achieving extraordinary results, emphasizing that it was not designed to enrich him but rather to ensure he retained voting power and control over Tesla’s future.The situation surrounding Musk’s pay package raised critical questions about the intersection of corporate governance, executive compensation, and shareholder interests.

Tesla’s board had argued that Musk’s leadership was indispensable for the company’s long-term success, especially as Tesla faced increased competition from established automakers and emerging electric vehicle companies. But for many investors, the idea of a $56 billion package seemed excessive, especially when viewed alongside the company’s recent struggles.

The decision to grant Musk such an enormous pay package has been widely criticized as an example of executive overreach, with Musk being accused of taking advantage of his position to secure power at the expense of shareholders.Despite the backlash, Musk remains unfazed, insisting that his pay package is entirely justified. “This compensation is aligned with doing something extraordinary,” he said, underscoring that his primary motivation was not financial, but rather a desire to protect Tesla from potential activist investors who might seek to take control of the company.

Musk has long been a target for activists, with some questioning his control over Tesla and his ability to balance the demands of multiple ventures. However, Musk’s response suggests that he sees the $56 billion package as a way to eliminate any possibility of losing control of Tesla to external forces, particularly as the company faces challenges from other electric vehicle manufacturers and fluctuating stock prices.

Musk’s comments come at a time when Tesla is navigating a tumultuous period. The company’s stock price has been volatile, with shares falling as much as 45% earlier this year, although they have since recovered slightly, down by only about 10%.

The dip in stock price, combined with concerns about Musk’s shifting focus, has made investors increasingly wary about the future of the company. Despite these challenges, Musk remains steadfast in his commitment to Tesla, dismissing rumors that the company has begun searching for a new CEO.

This came after a report by The Wall Street Journal, which suggested that Tesla was taking steps to hire a new CEO due to Musk’s diminished focus on the company. Musk vehemently denied these claims on social media, calling the report a “willful misrepresentation of the truth.”

In his defense, Musk stated that he would be stepping back from his leadership role in DOGE in order to focus more on Tesla. This decision came after Tesla’s stock performance took a hit, adding to the pressure Musk faces in balancing his numerous ventures.

Yet, for all his assurances, the reality is that Tesla’s future remains uncertain, particularly as the company faces increasing competition in the EV market. Musk’s commitment to autonomous technology and robotaxis is noble, but the road to achieving these lofty goals remains fraught with challenges, and his ability to juggle so many high-profile projects could eventually catch up with him.

Musk’s response to his critics reflects his usual maverick approach. He has never been one to shy away from controversy or to adhere to traditional corporate norms. Instead, Musk has often used his position as a billionaire entrepreneur to challenge the status quo and pursue ambitious goals that others deem impossible.

Whether it’s landing rockets on a dime with SpaceX or building electric cars that challenge the automotive giants, Musk’s track record of defying expectations is both his strength and his weakness. As Tesla continues to face pressure on multiple fronts, it remains to be seen whether Musk’s vision for the company will ultimately come to fruition.

In the coming months, Tesla investors will be closely watching Musk’s every move. The company’s financial performance, particularly its ability to overcome the drop in sales and the challenges of production, will be crucial to its long-term viability.

Musk’s $56 billion pay package will remain a focal point of debate as the company navigates the challenges of the automotive and tech industries. For now, Musk remains confident that his leadership will see Tesla through its current struggles, but whether that confidence is enough to calm the nerves of investors remains an open question.

The controversy surrounding Musk’s pay package and his commitment to Tesla highlights the ongoing tension between executive compensation, company performance, and shareholder interests.

It’s clear that Musk’s leadership is integral to Tesla’s future, but whether that justifies the massive pay package remains a matter of debate. For now, Musk continues to push forward with his vision, undeterred by the criticisms and challenges that lie ahead.But in the end, only time will tell if Musk’s gamble on his own control of Tesla will pay off, or if the weight of the company’s struggles will ultimately be too much for one man to bear.