Gov. Gavin Newsom has come out in support of Elon Musk amid a legal dispute between SpaceX and the California Coastal Commission, which recently rejected Musk’s request to increase the frequency of rocket launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The rejection, which Musk alleges was politically motivated due to his support for President Donald Trump, has drawn criticism from both Musk and now Newsom.
“I’m with Elon,” Newsom said during an interview after a campaign stop for Vice President Kamala Harris. He voiced his disapproval of the Commission’s handling of the situation, adding, “You can’t bring up that explicit level of politics.” Newsom’s comments suggest he believes the decision was improperly influenced by partisan concerns rather than being based on the merits of the case.
Musk has since sued the Coastal Commission, accusing the agency of political retaliation. Despite their many policy disagreements, including on social issues and artificial intelligence, Newsom acknowledged that the Commission’s decision should have been made without consideration of Musk’s political activities. “The application should have been judged on its merits,” Newsom stated, indicating rare support for Musk.
This surprising alignment between Newsom and Musk is a notable development in the legal battle, as Musk argues that his plans to expand rocket launches were blocked for political reasons. While Newsom has frequently clashed with Musk, particularly on California’s progressive policies, his defense of Musk in this instance underscores the importance of fair and impartial regulatory processes.
