Billionaire Elon Musk on Wednesday announced plans to relocate the headquarters of his companies, SpaceX and social media platform X, from California to Texas, citing a new California law that prevents schools from requiring staff to disclose information about a child’s gender identity as a primary reason for the move. A spokesperson for the California governor defended the law, stating it protects children and supports parental rights.
Musk, who moved Tesla’s headquarters to Texas in 2021 and resides in the state, where there is no income tax, makes this decision amid ongoing debates about parental rights and children’s privacy regarding gender identity in the U.S. LGBTQ advocates argue for students’ privacy rights, while others emphasize parents’ right to be informed about their children’s lives. Brandon Richards, speaking to the Associated Press, highlighted that the law prevents undue interference in family matters by politicians and school staff.
Musk, who has a transgender daughter, has expressed support for trans rights while criticizing pronouns. His daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, sought to sever ties with him legally in 2022, changing her name and gender. SpaceX employs more than 5,000 people in California but also has significant operations in Texas, which will likely expand further following this headquarters relocation.
