The spat between billionaire Elon Musk and California Governor Gavin Newsom intensified after Musk said his companies SpaceX and X would pull out of the state following the state’s passage of a controversial student gender identity law.
Musk described the law, which bars school districts from requiring teachers to notify parents of changes in a student’s gender identity or sexual orientation without the student’s permission, as a “final blow” and said both companies would relocate to Texas.
Following the announcement, Newsom shared a screenshot of a 2022 Truth Social post by former President Donald Trump on X.
At the time, Trump claimed Musk was so desperate to secure federal subsidies for his Tesla and SpaceX projects that “if I had said, ‘get on your knees and beg,’ he would have done it.”
“You have caved,” wrote Newsom, whose name has been floated as a possible successor to Biden after the 81-year-old Democrat’s debate gaffes.
“You never get up from your knees” Musk fired back..
Aside from the parental notification restrictions, the legislation supported by Governor Newsom also directs the California Department of Education to develop resources for families of LGBTQ+ students in grades 7 through high school.
Musk and other critics say the law is too invasive and violates parental rights.
Advocates said the bill, which goes into effect in January, would give needed protections to transgender students with parents living in dissenting households.
“This is the final straw,” Musk wrote to SpaceX after Governor Newsom signed the bill. “Because of this law, and many previous laws that attack both families and businesses, SpaceX will be relocating our headquarters from Hawthorne, California to Starbase, Texas.”
Musk added, “I made it clear to Governor Newsom nearly a year ago that such a law would force families and businesses to leave California to protect our children.”
In a subsequent post, Musk confirmed that Company X, formerly known as Twitter, would also be moving to Austin, Texas.
“I’m tired of having to avoid groups of violent drug addicts to get in and out of my building,” Musk said.
Meanwhile, Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott praised SpaceX’s move, claiming that the company’s post “solidifies Texas’ position as a leader in space exploration.”
Musk formally endorsed Trump’s 2024 presidential candidacy after the 45th president narrowly escaped an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania.
The billionaire also gives $45 million per month to pro-Trump super PACs.
