Musk Comments On California Officials Decision


Elon Musk is gearing up for a legal showdown after the California Coastal Commission blocked an increase in SpaceX rocket launches at Vandenberg Space Force Base, and it's stirring up quite the controversy. The Space Force had put in a request to up SpaceX's Falcon 9 launches from 36 to 50 a year, but the commission shot it down with a six-to-four vote. What makes this situation really stand out, though, is how some commissioners linked their decision directly to Musk’s political activity.

Now, let’s break this down. During the hearing, Commission Chair Caryl Hart openly admitted that SpaceX was being treated differently compared to other companies. She brought up Musk’s political involvement, pointing to his recent appearance with former President Donald Trump.

In her view, the problem wasn’t about the launches themselves, but rather Musk’s influence and visibility in the political arena. This didn’t sit well with many observers who quickly cried foul, accusing the commission of engaging in "regulatory lawfare"—using regulatory authority to punish Musk for his political views.

It didn’t stop there. Commissioner Mike Wilson echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that Musk’s political statements, particularly his national-stage remarks about retribution, were dangerous and worthy of opposition. Meanwhile, Commissioner Gretchen Newsom took it a step further, accusing Musk of spreading misinformation and launching politically charged attacks while traveling around the country. These comments, more than anything, suggest the decision may have been swayed as much by politics as by the environment.

As you might expect, Musk wasn’t about to let this slide. Taking to X (formerly known as Twitter), he unleashed a barrage of criticism, accusing the commission of overstepping its authority. In his post, Musk claimed it was illegal for them to make decisions based on what they think his political views are, calling for their resignation and legal repercussions.

He also pointed out his extensive work in sustainable energy—ironic, given the environmental focus of the Coastal Commission—and emphasized that this wasn’t a “far-right” position, highlighting how bizarre it was for this to even be an issue.

Musk has never been shy about mixing business and politics, and his outspoken support for Trump this election cycle seems to have landed him in hot water with state officials. During an October campaign stop with Trump in Pennsylvania, Musk encouraged voters to support the former president, a message that’s at odds with some of the more liberal-leaning sentiments in California politics.

It’s hard to ignore the timing here, especially with Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris locked in a razor-thin race for the presidency.

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