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Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and CEO of SpaceX and X, has announced significant moves for his companies out of California, citing recent legislative actions and other concerns. In a series of posts on social media platform X on Tuesday, Musk detailed plans to relocate SpaceX's headquarters from Hawthorne, California, to Starbase, Texas, and to move X from San Francisco to Austin, Texas.
Musk pointed to the SAFETY Act, signed into law by California Governor Gavin Newsom, as a decisive factor in his decision. The law prohibits school districts from requiring teachers to inform parents if a child wishes to be identified by a different gender. Musk called this legislation "the final straw," criticizing it along with other laws that he believes have targeted both families and companies.
"Because of this law and many others attacking both families and companies, SpaceX will now move its HQ from Hawthorne, California, to Starbase, Texas," Musk stated in his post.
This announcement comes amidst ongoing controversies surrounding Musk, including issues related to gender identity. One of Musk's children petitioned a California court in 2022 to recognize a new name and gender, expressing a desire to distance themselves from their famous father.
Musk also expressed concerns about safety in San Francisco, citing "violent crime surrounding the building where X is located." These factors, combined with previous legal challenges, have solidified Musk's decision to relocate his companies to Texas.
Musk's affinity for Texas has been evident in recent years. In February, SpaceX filed to move its business incorporation location from Delaware to Texas, following a legal dispute in Delaware related to Musk's Tesla pay package. In 2021, Tesla's headquarters was relocated from the Bay Area to Austin, Texas, and Musk himself moved to Texas in December 2020.
The relocation of SpaceX and X to Texas represents a strategic shift for Musk's business interests, aligning with his personal and professional priorities amidst evolving legislative and operational challenges in California.
