Elon Musk has slammed ING Deutschland after the bank confirmed that it was not offering a way for clients to vote in the upcoming 2025 Tesla Annual Shareholders Meeting.

Musk posted his criticism of the firm in a post on social media platform X. 

Musk’s criticism

Musk’s criticism of ING Deutschland came as a response to the bank’s comment to a Tesla shareholder. The shareholder, Maximilian Auer, noted that he has not received a response from the German bank’s customer support on how he could vote with his TSLA shares. In response to the Auer’s comment, ING Deutschland confirmed that it does not offer such a service.

“We do not offer the proxy voting process or the transmission of a control number. There is no legal obligation to do so for general meetings under foreign law,” ING Deutschland wrote in its post.

The firm’s reply received a lot of criticism from users on X, with many stating that such comments could drive clients away. Elon Musk later weighed in with some strong words of his own, stating that the bank is effectively denying shareholders the ability to vote. “Denying shareholders the ability to vote, as you are doing, certainly should be a crime,” Musk wrote in a post on X.

Tesla’s annual meeting

Tesla’s upcoming annual meeting this year is particularly important as shareholders are voting on the approval of Elon Musk’s new CEO performance award. The pay package, which could pave the way for Musk to become a trillionaire, is also designed to increase his stake in the electric vehicle maker to 25%. This, Musk stated, should prevent activist shareholder advisory firms to disrupt the company.

Tesla highlighted the importance of this year’s annual meeting in a post on X. 

“We pay for outstanding performance – not for promises. In 2018, shareholders approved a groundbreaking CEO Performance Award that delivered extraordinary value. At our Annual Meeting on November 6, Tesla shareholders can vote on a pay-for-performance plan designed to drive our next era of transformational growth and value creation. Seven years ago, Elon Musk had to deliver billions to shareholders – now it’s trillions.

“This plan creates a path for Elon to secure voting rights and will retain him as a leader of the company for many years to come. But as explained below, Elon only receives voting rights after he has delivered economic value to you. Your vote matters. Vote ‘FOR’ Proposal 4!” Tesla wrote in its post on X. 

Elon Musk has stated that his artificial intelligence startup xAI is developing “Grokipedia,” a knowledge platform he noted will be a “massive improvement” over Wikipedia. 

The move came after Wikipedia co-founder Larry Sanger raised concerns over the site’s editorial practices and the exclusion of some conservative media outlets from its list of reliable sources.

Wikipedia’s blacklist debate

Sanger, speaking on the Tucker Carlson Show, highlighted Wikipedia’s “Reliable sources/Perennial sources” page, which categorizes publications into tiers of credibility. He noted that conservative outlets such as Fox News, the Daily Caller, and the New York Post were effectively blacklisted, while more liberal outlets such as The New York Times, CNN, Mother Jones, and the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation are treated as reliable.

Sanger also posted on X that 85% of Wikipedia’s most influential editorial accounts are anonymous, a group he dubbed the “Power 62.” Musk amplified this claim, writing, “Curiouser and curiouser.” He also joked that Wikipedia should be renamed “Wokipedia,” echoing complaints that the platform has leaned progressively towards the political left in recent years, as noted in a Washington Examiner report.

Musk positions Grokipedia as alternative

Responding to Sanger’s criticism, Musk stated that “Grokipedia” would serve as a step toward xAI’s broader goal of “understanding the Universe.” He suggested the new platform will provide broader sourcing and a freer exchange of information compared to Wikipedia’s current system.

The announcement is Musk’s latest foray into the information and media space. After acquiring Twitter in 2022 and rebranding it as X in 2023, Musk has repeatedly emphasized free speech and alternative narratives as central to X. Earlier this year, xAI formally acquired X in an all-stock deal, aligning his AI venture with the social media platform.

Tesla officially launched the refreshed Model Y Performance in the United States, offering a sharper 0–60 mph sprint of 3.3 seconds, improved range of 306 miles, and a redesigned exterior. Priced at $57,490 before options, the high-performance all-electric crossover qualifies for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit until midnight on September 30.

And as per a recent comment from a Tesla VP, customers who place an order for the vehicle before the end of Q3 could have the option to finance the car later on.

Model Y Performance financing

Raj Jegannathan, Tesla VP of IT/AI-Infra, Apps, Infosec, and Vehicle Service Operations, shared the update in a post on social media platform X. As per the Tesla executive, “customers placing an order now will be given an option to finance when it’s closer for delivery.” This provides another incentive for customers to place an order for a Model Y Performance now. 

The Model Y Performance, already launched in Europe earlier this month, is expected to boost Tesla’s Q4 delivery figures. It also completes the full lineup of the revamped all-electric crossover, which, until now, has only been offered in two variants in the United States. 

Model Y Performance upgrades

The new Model Y Performance introduces a number of upgrades over its predecessor. Key updates include redesigned front and rear fascias, a new carbon fiber spoiler, and 21-inch Arachnid wheels with staggered fitment to boost grip and stability. Adaptive damping suspension and new drive modes give drivers more control at higher speeds, while updated battery cells deliver greater charge capacity.

Interior refinements show a notable focus on comfort and technology, with its acoustic glass for a quieter ride, heated and ventilated front sport seats, heated rear seats with recline, and extended thigh cushions. A 16-inch high-resolution touchscreen has also been equipped in the vehicle.