Why does this headline make it sound that it's a contradiction? Isn't it because Elon Musk is willing to take drastic actions like in the headline to improve stock price in the short term that shareholders voted for his pay?
A vote for Elon's bonus doesn't cost the shareholders anything until the Delaware courts hear the appeal. A vote against could tank the stock based on Elon's threats. It might seem absurd too have such a short term view, but fund managers probably think they can get out before a price drop.
While it may not be a contradiction in a business sense, it seems to me to be morally contradictory.