Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and owner of X, said that he will be relocating the headquarters of both companies from California to Texas.
The billionaire’s decision follows a recent California law, which prohibits school districts from requiring parental notification when a child changes their gender identification.
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the law.
Musk wrote on X: “This is the final 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.”
He later added X’s headquarters will also move from San Francisco to Austin.
Musk said: “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.”
This move comes in the wake of personal developments in Musk’s life.
In 2022, his then-18-year-old daughter legally changed her name and gender to Vivian Jenna Wilson.
“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”
She adopted her mother Justine Wilson’s maiden name and distanced herself from the Musk surname.
Musk has publicly attributed his estrangement from his daughter to “neo-Marxists” at educational institutions.
Musk has recently voiced his support for former President Donald Trump.
He reportedly plans to contribute $45 million per month to a pro-Trump super PAC called the America PAC.
Trump has pledged to roll back transgender rights if re-elected, which aligns with Musk’s criticisms of California’s policies.
Need Career Advice? Get employment skills advice at all levels of your career
Governor Newsom responded to Musk’s announcement with a pointed post on X, referencing a 2022 Truth Social post where Trump had mocked Musk.
Newsom wrote, “You bent the knee,” highlighting the tension between Musk and political figures.
Despite the headquarters move, it remains unclear if SpaceX will completely shut down its Hawthorne operations.
When Tesla, another Musk-led company, relocated its HQ to Texas in 2021, it retained its Palo Alto office as an “engineering headquarters.”
It expanded its presence there, holding a press event with Newsom in February 2023.
