Elon Musk is relocating the headquarters of X and SpaceX from California to Texas in response to a new California law supporting LGBTQ students.
Musk announced this decision following Governor Gavin Newsom’s signing of the SAFETY Act (AB1955), which prevents schools from imposing rules that require teachers to disclose changes to a student’s gender identity without permission and prohibits retaliation against teachers who refuse to out a student, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
In a tweet, Musk stated, “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 statement highlights his dissatisfaction with California’s legislative environment.
Musk added that “the final straw” for the SpaceX move was the passage of the California bill signed by Governor Newsom. Musk also expressed frustration over safety concerns in California, mentioning, “Have had enough of dodging gangs of violent drug addicts just to get in and out of the building.”
Musk later confirmed that X, currently headquartered in San Francisco, will relocate to Austin, Texas, where his other company, Tesla, is headquartered. SpaceX will establish its headquarters in Starbase, Texas, a site known for its massive Starship manufacturing and testing facilities.
Musk has recently relocated other businesses as well. In 2021, Tesla moved its headquarters from California to Austin, Texas, although it still maintains significant operations in California, including its assembly plant in Fremont.
Earlier this year, SpaceX officially changed its state of incorporation from Delaware to Texas in response to a ruling from a Delaware judge over Musk’s $56 billion compensation package for his role as CEO at Tesla. In the same month, Musk moved his brain implant company from Delaware to Nevada.
Featured Image courtesy of Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
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