X and SpaceX Leave California
Recently, Musk announced he would be moving the headquarters of both X and SpaceX to Texas, a state where Musk has recently moved many of his companies, such as Tesla.
Source: Sven Piper/Unsplash
Musk has openly been critical of California government policies in the last few years, particularly as the billionaire has seemingly shifted more conservative in his ideals.
Musk’s Last Straw
According to the billionaire, X and SpaceX are moving their headquarters out of California because of the most recent bill that Newsom has signed into law. Newsom has officially banned teachers and school districts from notifying parents if their child changes their gender identity.
Source: Public Domain/Wikimedia Commons
In announcing this move, Musk wrote on X, “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.”
Musk Warned Newsom
In another post on X, Musk further insinuated that he warned Newsom that this would be the outcome if he signed more bills that supporters say are friendly and helpful to transgender children.
Source: MINISTÉRIO DAS COMUNICAÇÕES/Wikimedia Commons
Musk evidently told Newsom last year that more laws like this would force people like him to move out of California for good.
Newsom’s Response
Now, the California governor has finally responded to all that Musk has said and done. As many California jobs are attached to the headquarters of X and SpaceX, this move could impact many Californians.
Source: Bureau of Reclamation/Wikimedia Commons
In a post on X, Newsom said to Musk, “You bent the knee.” The governor is seemingly insinuating that Musk has bent the knee to Trump, as he also attached a screenshot of Trump criticizing Musk in 2022.
Trump’s Former Criticisms
Though Trump and Musk have become more supportive of each other recently, the former president has previously criticized the billionaire.
Source: Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons
Newsom reminded Musk — and the general public — of this fact. As many conservatives and Republicans are slowly joining Trump’s reelection campaign to beat President Joe Biden in November, many critics have said these people are “bending the knee” to the former president.
Trump’s Comments on Musk
In Newsom’s X post, he shared a screenshot of Trump’s comments on Musk in 2022.
Source: Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons
Trump said, “When Elon Musk came to the White House asking me for help on all of his many subsidized projects, whether it’s electric cars that don’t drive long enough, driverless cars that crash, or rocketships to nowhere, without which subsidies he’d be worthless, and telling me how he was a big Trump fan and Republican, I could have said, ‘drop to your knees and beg,’ and he would have done it.”
Musk Endorses Trump
Though the two may have been at odds in the past, it appears Musk and Trump have worked their issues out. Just last week, right after Trump had survived an assassination attempt during one of his rallies, Musk officially — and publicly — endorsed the former president.
Source: MINISTÉRIO DAS COMUNICAÇÕES/Wikimedia Commons
Musk has also stated that he will give Trump about $45 million a month during his campaigning.
Musk Moves to Texas
Over the last few years, Musk has increasingly moved many of his companies to Texas. For example, Tesla made the move from California to Texas, though some key Tesla facilities still remain in the Golden State.
Source: Ryan Duffy/Unsplash
Though X and SpaceX will now have headquarters in Texas, the same could happen. Some facilities or jobs could stay behind in California.
What Will Happen to California Jobs?
X and SpaceX employ many Californians throughout the state. Obviously, many are concerned about what will happen to their jobs if the headquarters indeed move from California to Texas.
Source: Sven Piper/Unsplash
While many of these positions may move to Texas, some employees may not make this journey. Therefore, concerns have already arisen about what this may mean for California jobs.
Musk and the Republican Party
While Musk was mainly known as a Democratic donor for many years, recently he’s made a conservative shift and has become much more friendly to the Republican Party.
Source: Kelly Sikkema/Unsplash
Now, he donates much more to the Republican Party than he ever did to the Democratic Party. Musk has long insinuated that the Democrats have become too left for him in recent years.
Newsom and California Criticisms
Meanwhile, California has often been considered one of the most liberal and progressive states in the country. With Newsom at the helm, this has continued to be true.
Source: Josh Hild/Unsplash
This has led many conservatives — including Musk — to criticize Newsom and California as a whole for a variety of reasons. These criticisms will likely only continue, especially now that Musk has decided to leave California.