What is behind the unprecedented growth in CEO pay packages

Since the late 20th century CEO pay has exploded, widening the divide between the ultra wealthy and working class Americans. Now, Tesla CEO Elon Musk could set a new standard in CEO pay packages, becoming the first trillionaire CEO after his record breaking pay package was approved in November 2025. Tesla is not alone in this, U.S. mega-caps like Apple, Google, and Amazon are also seeing their CEOs net worth skyrocket. So what is behind these huge pay outs and how do these companies afford them?