Elon Musk’s Rockets Grounded by California Because They Don’t Like His Politics

Looks like Elon Musk’s rocket ambitions just hit a political speed bump.

California officials decided to block SpaceX’s plan to increase launches, saying that Musk is too political.

In short, they don’t like that he’s supporting President Donald Trump and being vocal about it.

His appearance at a Trump rally really seemed to offend them.

Isn’t this a violation of the First Amendment?

BREAKING: California rejects SpaceX rocket launches, with officials citing Elon Musk’s political posts on 𝕏. pic.twitter.com/ntOzHiHJOg

— DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) October 12, 2024

Independent reports:

State officials have rejected SpaceX’s plans to launch further rockets in California, after Elon Musk’s recent “aggressive” insertion into the US presidential race.

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Questions have been raised as to whether actions by the space exploration company, owned by Musk, should be considered federal or private activity.

The plan to increase the number of SpaceX rocket launches to up to 50 a year was rejected by the California Coastal Commission on Thursday, with some officials citing Musk’s incredibly political posts on his social media platform X.

“We’re dealing with a company, the head of which has aggressively injected himself into the presidential race,” commission Chair Caryl Hart said.

“This company (SpaceX) is owned by the richest person in the world with direct control of what could be the most expansive communications system on the planet,” Commissioner Mike Wilson said. “Just last week that person was talking about political retribution.”

In recent weeks, Musk’s involvement in Donald Trump’s presidential campaign has become more stark. He has been overtly in favor of the former president on his “free speech” platform X, and appeared at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on October 5 where he addressed Trump supporters.

He has also jumped on Trump bandwagon of attacking the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) over its response to devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in Florida – peddling conspiracies that federal funds are being used on illegal immigrants instead of flood victims.

California regulators have blocked @SpaceX launches because they disagree with @elonmusk's politics. This is a blatant violation of the First Amendment and a gross abuse of power, even in increasingly totalitarian California. pic.twitter.com/T7YZdTb0xJ

— Michael Shellenberger (@shellenberger) October 12, 2024