Elon Musk says he’s moving SpaceX to Texas over California ban on schools outing trans kids to their parents

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Elon Musk announced he is moving his SpaceX headquarters out of California after the state’s governor signed a bill prohibiting school districts from disclosing students’ gender identity. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who has has passed legislation restricting gender-affirming therapies for minors in his state, praised the move, posting on X: “This cements Texas as the leader in space exploration.” The SpaceX founder’s decision arrives days after he endorsed Donald Trump in the wake of the assassination attempt against the former president. During his presidency, Trump rolled back a host of LGBTQ+ protections and throughout his 2024 bid, he has touted anti-trans rhetoric on the campaign trail — even vowing to “revoke every Biden policy promoting the disfigurement of our youth” and to rescind Biden’s policy that expanded Title IX protections to LGBTQ+ students “on day one” of a second Trump term. His comments have isolated his own daughter, who is transgender and requested a name change in a court filing, writing: “I no longer live with or wish to be related to my biological father in any way, shape or form.” Despite Musk’s remarks, the California law was designed to protect children, the bill’s author and Assemblymember Chris Ward said: “While some school districts have adopted policies to forcibly out students, the SAFETY Act ensures that discussions about gender identity remain a private matter within the family.” Ward added: “As a parent, I urge all parents to talk to their children, listen to them, and love them unconditionally for who they are.” California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus Chair Susan Eggman applauded the bill, saying the law “reaffirms California’s position as a leader and safe haven for LGBTQ+ youth everywhere.” Musk’s comments also arrive as anti-trans rhetoric and attacks against the trans community are on the rise.