Senator Bernie Sanders has expressed his agreement with Pope Leo’s criticism of excessive executive pay, citing the proposed $1 trillion award for Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk as a prime example. Sanders argues that such massive compensation packages exacerbate income inequality and threaten the very survival of society.
The Pope’s Warning
Pope Leo has warned about the dangers of concentrated wealth and soaring CEO pay ratios, stating that chief executives now make 600 times more than average workers. He questioned the value of a system where one individual can become a trillionaire while the majority struggle to make ends meet.
Sanders’ Stance on Executive Pay
Sanders has long been a vocal critic of income inequality and has renewed his fight against excessive executive pay. He labeled Musk’s prospective payout as “grossly immoral” and argued that it highlights the need for a more equitable distribution of wealth. On social media, Sanders posted:
“The Pope is exactly right. No society can survive when one man becomes a trillionaire while the vast majority struggle to just survive — trying to put food on the table, pay rent and afford health care. We can and must do better.”
Defense of Tesla’s Compensation Plan
Tesla’s board has defended the proposed award, framing it as a performance-based incentive to motivate Musk to achieve ambitious targets over the next decade. Board chair Robyn Denholm argued that the package is necessary to drive innovation and growth, while analyst Adam Jonas believes it is a good deal for Tesla shareholders.
Market Reaction
Tesla’s stock has underperformed the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 in 2025, with a gain of 8.17%. Despite this, Benzinga’s Edge Stock Rankings indicate that TSLA continues to show strength across short, medium, and long-term horizons.
Key Takeaways
- Senator Bernie Sanders agrees with Pope Leo’s criticism of excessive executive pay
- The proposed $1 trillion award for Elon Musk highlights the issue of income inequality
- Tesla’s board defends the compensation plan as a performance-based incentive
- The market reaction to the news has been mixed, with Tesla’s stock underperforming the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100