Elon Musk’s company, SpaceX, has formally accused a regulatory body in California of engaging in politically motivated discrimination. This accusation arose in response to the regulator’s decision to impose a prohibition on SpaceX conducting additional launches from the central coast of the state.
In a formal complaint filed on Tuesday, SpaceX formally alleged that select members of the California Coastal Commission infringed upon Elon Musk’s constitutional right to free speech and exceeded their delegated authority by citing the billionaire’s speculative remarks made on his social media platform, X, as justification for denying the permit application. The commission’s purview encompasses the regulation of development and environmental protection along the state’s coastline.
The extent to which the commission possessed the authority to obstruct the project is uncertain, and the US Air Force had previously suggested the increased number of Falcon 9 rocket launches. However, the incident serves as one of the most tangible examples thus far of Mr. Musk’s contentious presence on Platform X potentially affecting his other enterprises, following its contribution to the declining valuation of his social media platform.
The United States Space Force, which collaborates with SpaceX to facilitate the transportation of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronauts, presented a proposition in September. The proposal suggested that SpaceX could potentially enhance the frequency of its annual rocket launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base, a military installation situated on the coastline adjacent to Santa Barbara, California, by increasing the launch count from thirty-six to fifty. Additionally, SpaceX undertakes commercial launches from the same base, with the objective of deploying its Starlink satellites into orbit.
However, the California Coastal Commission voiced its opposition to the proposed plan. During a formal gathering held on October 10, members of the commission cast their votes, with a tally of six votes against and four votes in favor of increasing the launch operations.
During the assembly, commissioners “voiced additional concerns entirely unrelated to coastal impacts,” SpaceX asserted in the formal complaint submitted to the California Central District Court. Members allegedly alluded to SpaceX’s employment practices, which have been the subject of legal actions initiated by the United States Department of Justice and previous employees. Additionally, references were made to the deployment of Elon Musk’s Starlink system in international geopolitical conflicts.
Within the complaint, Commissioner (Mike) Wilson sought to acknowledge that the Starlink program’s outcome would result in Mr. Musk gaining control over “one of the most expansive communications networks on the planet.” Additionally, the complaint highlighted that “just last week” Mr. Musk engaged in discourse regarding political retribution on a national platform.
Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) formally accused the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of exhibiting pronounced and astonishing partisan prejudice during the most recent commission meeting. SpaceX cites statements made by FCC commissioners during the meeting, including Commissioner Gretchen Newsom’s remark that Mr. Elon Musk has been engaging in itinerant travel across the nation, disseminating and tweeting political falsehoods, and criticizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) while concurrently professing his desire to assist hurricane victims by providing free Starlink internet access. (It is important to note that Commissioner Newsom is not related to California Governor Gavin Newsom.)
Musk, who has endorsed former President Donald Trump for reelection, has repeatedly shared rumors and false claims criticizing the federal government’s response to Hurricane Helene. His comments have contributed to a wave of misinformation about the storm online, while portraying President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris as incompetent.
Musk has previously promoted conspiracy theories that are considered racist, particularly regarding immigrants and Jewish individuals. In a now-deleted post following the first assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, he appeared to question why “no one is even trying to assassinate Biden or Kamala.”
Moreover, the lawsuit contends that launches from the base constitute federally regulated activities. As such, they are not subject to the approval of state regulators, such as the coastal commission. Consequently, the lawsuit seeks a ruling from the judge to confirm this assertion. Additionally, SpaceX is pursuing monetary damages.
