Elon Musk announced on Tuesday that he is considering relocating the headquarters of his social media platform, X, and SpaceX to Texas from California.
This potential move is a response to new gender identity policies introduced by Governor Gavin Newsom's government.
Reportedly, Elon Musk's decision comes after Gavin Newsom signed a new law known as the AB1955, which prohibits public schools from enforcing rules that would require parental notification if a child identifies as transgender.
The bill @CAGovernor Newsom signed into protects the child-parent relationship by PREVENTING politicians & school staff from inappropriately intervening in family matters & attempting to control if, when, & how families have deeply personal conversations.
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) July 17, 2024
Under California law,…
The choice to establish SpaceX's new headquarters reflects Elon Musk's growing dissatisfaction with certain government policies in California.
Elon Musk stated, "This is the last straw."
Because of this law and the many others that preceded it, attacking both families and companies, SpaceX will now move its HQ from Hawthorne, California, to Starbase, Texas.”
This is the final straw.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 16, 2024
Because of this law and the many others that preceded it, attacking both families and companies, SpaceX will now move its HQ from Hawthorne, California, to Starbase, Texas. https://t.co/cpWUDgBWFe
This new development is similar to his decision in 2021. He had moved the headquarters of the electric car company Tesla from Palo Alto, California, to Austin, Texas.
In 2024, he will make the same move, transferring SpaceX HQ from Hawthorne, California, to Starbase, Texas.
Moreover, there are also speculations that X headquarters in San Francisco will also be in the equation, but it is not yet confirmed.
The new legislation in California prohibits school districts from requiring teachers to indicate a change in a student's gender identification.
This law is the first of its kind in the United States and has sparked discussions about parental control and rights versus LGBTQ rights.
Elon Musk says he told Governor Newsom a year ago that passing the new law might force families to leave California.
“I did make it clear to Governor Newsom about a year ago that laws of this nature would force families and companies to leave California to protect their children,” the billionaire said.
Also read: 30 Mind-Boggling Facts About Elon Musk That Made Us Stop and Stare in Disbelief
In response to the massive outrage, the California governor's office stated that the new law won't allow teachers to change official records without parental knowledge.
According to the governor's office, the law “does not allow a student's name or gender identity to be changed on an official school record without parental consent" and "does not take away or undermine parents' rights.”
Moving Ahead: What Does This Imply for SpaceX?
The move from California to Texas started earlier this year when SpaceX transferred its incorporation from Delaware to Texas.
This came after a Delaware judge invalidated Elon Musk's pay package at Tesla.
Using Tesla as a case study, despite moving its headquarters to Texas, the company still produces cars in California. Hence, SpaceX may have the same situation.
SpaceX operates a facility in Hawthorne, California, that serves as a factory, engineering design center, and mission control for their rockets and spacecraft.
Moving these facilities from California to Texas would be quite challenging, similar to the situation with Tesla.
Starbase is poised to become SpaceX's new headquarters and will be the central location for the company's Starship rockets.