Elon Musk announced the transfer of the headquarters of SpaceX and X from California to Texas. This decision is said to be a direct response to a California law aimed at protecting transgender students. The billionaire openly criticizes this law, enacted by Governor Gavin Newsom. He considers it a threat to families and businesses.
“This is the final straw” Musk declares on X, expressing disagreement with this law and other legislations he deems restrictive. Musk highlighted the security challenges in San Francisco, where X’s headquarters is located. He explained that he was tired of avoiding “violent drug gangs.”
This California law imposes several prohibitions on educational institutions. Among them is the ban on disclosing information about students’ gender identity to their parents without their consent. This measure aims to protect the rights of transgender students and combat discrimination.
One of Musk’s children, who came out as trans at 16, later broke off relations with his father. Musk attributes this rupture to an education he considers too progressive.
The SpaceX 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 this first move by citing California’s legislations and measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The announcement of this move has sparked reactions. Marjorie Taylor Green, a Republican representative and close to Donald Trump, encouraged leaving states “that want to control your children.”
Is Elon Musk a convinced conservative or just an opportunist? Indeed, it should be noted that Texas offers significant tax advantages. The regulations are also less strict than in California. Additionally, the cost of living, labor, and real estate are much lower. With a business-friendly environment, solid infrastructure, and abundant space for expansion, it is not surprising that Musk chose Texas for his businesses.