In the current low interest rate environment, I've heard that it's common for founders like Musk to borrow against their shares instead of selling shares. The difference is that they pay small interest rate but don't pay larger income tax by realizing their income.
Basically, the same thing that their companies used (or maybe still use) for avoiding high tax on repatriation or their non-US earnings.
Basically, the same thing that their companies used (or maybe still use) for avoiding high tax on repatriation or their non-US earnings.
Edit: Here's a proof but with different incentives (keeping control): https://www.wsj.com/articles/elon-musk-techs-cash-poor-billi...