Part 4/12:

However, the plan faced intense scrutiny. A lower court — the Court of Chancery — initially struck down Musk’s pay package in 2022, ruling it was “unfathomable” and effectively canceling Musk’s right to its benefits. The court viewed the arrangement as an unfair self-dealing, especially considering Musk’s role as a controlling shareholder.

This decision would have meant Musk received nothing—no stocks, no options, and no performance pay. Yet, this seemed an overly harsh remedy, considering Musk’s contributions to Tesla’s rise.