Elon Musk has announced plans to relocate the headquarters for both X (formerly Twitter) and SpaceX from California to Texas, marking a significant move in his ongoing efforts to align himself with the political right and distance himself from the liberal politics of his former home state.
In a post on his social media platform, X, Musk cited his frustration with a recent California law concerning transgender children in public schools. California became the first state in the U.S. to prohibit school districts from requiring teachers to notify parents about changes to a student’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Musk called this law “the final straw,” prompting his decision to move SpaceX’s headquarters out of Hawthorne, California, and establish new operations in Texas.
The move is a part of Musk’s broader political shift. In the past week, he openly endorsed former President Donald Trump for the upcoming election and pledged millions of dollars in campaign donations. Musk has long criticized California’s progressive politics and has previously threatened to relocate his businesses, though this move seems to solidify his dissatisfaction with the state’s governance.
SpaceX has already been developing a massive facility in South Texas called Starbase, which has become the central hub for the company’s Starship rocket system. The site in Boca Chica, Texas, has expanded rapidly over the years, now including the Starfactory warehouse, which has replaced much of the site’s previous temporary production tents. While X’s headquarters is still in San Francisco, the company recently listed several floors of its office building for lease, though some space will remain for employees. X also plans to open a small office in Austin, Texas, to handle content moderation issues.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott praised the decision, posting on X that it “cements Texas as the leader in space exploration.” Musk’s decision to move SpaceX and X to Texas follows similar moves by his other companies. Earlier this year, Tesla, Musk’s electric car company, moved its incorporation to Texas from Delaware and officially relocated its headquarters to Austin in 2021, citing frustrations with California’s pandemic lockdowns. Tesla still maintains a significant presence in California, including an engineering headquarters in Palo Alto.
The move also holds personal significance for Musk. His estranged relationship with one of his eldest children, who changed their name in court in 2022 to reflect their gender identity, has added a personal layer to his opposition to the new California law.
Musk’s relocation to Texas is part of a larger trend of prominent figures and companies moving out of California, signaling a shift in the state’s influence in both business and politics. As Musk continues to diversify his empire, Texas seems poised to become an even larger focal point for his companies and personal ventures.
