Photo: SONNY TUMBELAKA / AFP / Getty Images
HAWTHORNE (CNS) - Elon Musk said Tuesday he will move his SpaceX aerospace company from Hawthorne to Texas in protest of a state law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom that prevents California schools from notifying parents if their children identify as transgender.
"This is the final straw," Musk wrote on X, the social media platform he also owns. "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."
He added in a subsequent post: "I did make it clear to Governor Newsom about a year ago that laws of this nature would force families and companies to leave California to protect their children."
Musk later announced that he would also move the headquarters of X out of San Francisco and into Austin, Texas.
"Have had enough of dodging gangs of violent drug addicts just to get in and out of the building," Musk wrote.
Newsom took to X in response to the claims by Musk, who on Saturday formally endorsed Donald Trump's presidential campaign. Newsom reposted a 2022 social media post from Trump, who claimed he could have made Musk "drop to your knees and beg" for government assistance during Trump's presidency.
In his repost of the Trump missive, Newsom wrote -- in a shot at Musk - - "You bent the knee."
Hawthorne Mayor Alex Vargas issued the following statement Tuesday night:
"The city of Hawthorne has learned that SpaceX, one of our valued businesses, may potentially relocate its headquarters. While this move would represent a significant change for our community, we remain committed to supporting our local economy and fostering growth.
"SpaceX has been an integral part of our community, contributing to our local economy and helping to establish Hawthorne as a hub of technological innovation. While we are aware of their potential departure, we understand the need for businesses to make strategic decisions for their growth and success.
"Despite this potential move, Hawthorne remains resilient and optimistic about the future. The city is dedicated to attracting new businesses, supporting existing ones, and continuing to foster an environment of innovation and opportunity. We will actively work on initiatives to ensure that our local economy remains strong and that Hawthorne continues to be an attractive place for businesses and residents alike."
Newsom on Monday signed AB 1955, which bars school districts and teachers from notifying parents and families if their children begin identifying as a different gender. Backers of the legislation said it will prevent "forced outing" of students to parents who may not support their children.
The bill also requires the state to provide resources to parents and students about how to discuss issues of gender identity.
The legislation was prompted by actions of select districts in the state, including one in Temecula, that enacted policies requiring teachers to notify parents about gender-questioning students. Backers of such policies said parents are entitled to be informed about issues involving their children's health and education.
SpaceX, founded by Musk in 2002, has been a revolutionary force in the space industry, pioneering the re-use of multimillion-dollar rocket boosters to dramatically cut the cost of aerospace missions. The company has earned multiple contracts from NASA for conducting resupply missions to the International Space Station, and transporting astronauts to and from the orbiting outpost with its Crew Dragon capsules. SpaceX is also working with NASA as part of the ambitious Artemis program aimed at establishing a base on the moon, with the larger goal of using the base as a possible launch point for manned missions to Mars.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott was quick to respond to Musk's vow to move the company, writing on X, "This cements Texas as the leader in space exploration."
SpaceX already has significant operations in Texas, where it developing its massive Starship vehicle -- billed as the most powerful rocket ever flown -- for use in the Artemis program and human/cargo missions to Mars.
State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, lashed out at Musk on X, saying, "California literally made you with taxpayer subsidies & because it's the best place around. Will this be a fake temper tantrum move just like Tesla's fake `move' to Texas?"
Musk announced in 2021 that he was moving his Tesla electric-vehicle company to Austin, however, the company still has manufacturing facilities in Northern California, along with research and development facilities.