Credits: Ecostylia Media montage; portrait: Debbie Rowe / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY-SA 3.0; SpaceX; X Corp..
Elon Musk announced the relocation of the headquarters of SpaceX and X from California to Texas. This decision would be a direct response to a California law aimed at protecting transgender students. The billionaire openly criticizes this law, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. He sees it as a threat to families and businesses.
"It’s the straw that broke the camel’s back," Musk says on X, expressing disagreement with this law and other legislation he deems restrictive. Musk highlighted security challenges in San Francisco, where X’s headquarters is located. He explained that he was tired of avoiding "violent junkie gangs."
This California law imposes several prohibitions on schools. Among them is the disclosure of information about students’ gender identity to their parents without their consent. This measure is intended to protect the rights of transgender students and combat discrimination.
One of Musk’s children, who came out as trans at 16, later severed ties with his father. Musk attributes this breakup to an upbringing he considers too progressive.
SpaceX’s headquarters, currently in Hawthorne, will be moved to Starbase, in Boca Chica, Texas. X will be relocated to Austin, where Tesla already moved its headquarters in 2021. Musk had justified that first move by California’s laws and the measures taken during the covid-19 pandemic.
The announcement of this move sparked reactions. Marjorie Taylor Green, a Republican elected official close to Donald Trump, encouraged people to leave the states "that want to control your children."
Is Elon Musk a true conservative or just a simple opportunist? In fact, it should be noted that Texas offers significant tax advantages. Regulations there are also less strict than in California. In addition, the cost of living, labor, and real estate are much lower there. With a business-friendly environment, solid infrastructure, and abundant room for expansion, it is no surprise that Musk chose Texas for his business.