In a surprising move, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has taken Elon Musk’s side in a dispute with the California Coastal Commission regarding SpaceX’s rocket launches off the Pacific coast. This support comes after the Commission rejected a proposal to increase the number of SpaceX launches, citing Musk’s political activities as a factor in their decision.
Newsom, a Democrat often at odds with Musk, stated, “I’m with Elon,” during an interview following a campaign event for Vice President Kamala Harris in North Carolina. He expressed dissatisfaction with the Commission’s decision, noting, “I didn’t like that.”
The dispute centers around SpaceX’s plan to expand the frequency of rocket launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Musk filed a lawsuit against the California Coastal Commission, accusing them of political retaliation based on his public support for President Donald Trump. Newsom acknowledged the political nature of the rejection, stating, “You can’t bring up that explicit level of politics.”
Despite his frequent clashes with Musk on various issues, including transgender policies in schools and a law banning political deepfakes, Newsom agreed that the Commission’s decision should have focused solely on the merits of the permit application. The governor’s remarks signal rare agreement with Musk, even as he remains a staunch critic of the tech billionaire’s other activities in California.
While Newsom’s stance in this particular dispute aligns with Musk, his broader progressive policies continue to shape California in ways that have drawn criticism from conservatives and libertarians alike. This case will likely continue through the courts, but Musk, with his considerable resources, seems prepared to fight back.