Texans in South Texas plot a journey towards Musk's Starbase
In the heart of south Texas, where Elon Musk's rocket powerhouse, SpaceX, calls home, voters will cast their ballots this weekend. They'll be deciding whether a rocket-sized patch at the Lone Star State's southern tip becomes an official city named Starbase.
If the vote sails through, this swath of approximately 1.5 square miles would be a well-earned triumph for Musk, who's had a rather tough few months.
In the early days of Donald Trump's presidency, Musk was a frequent face in the White House—temporarily commanding the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This new department oversaw major budget cuts and sweeping layoffs across federal agencies, giving Musk a significant chunk of power and sway.
Despite the clout, Musk's reputation has taken a hit. His close association with the Trump administration and efforts to downsize the federal workforce have left him as the top target for protests across the nation. Add to that, Tesla reported a massive dip in profits last month.
But it seems that Saturday's vote will be a walk in the park for the controversial billionaire. Most of the 283 eligible voters—patrons of Cameron County whose homes would fall within Starbase's proposed boundaries—are SpaceX employees or have ties to the company.
Here's a quick peek into Musk's White House stint: As the DOGE chief, Musk pushed for an initial savings of a trillion dollars in the following fiscal year—a target later revised. His relentless pursuit to slash the federal workforce led to thousands of unemployed workers and their allies protesting. Musk gained financial support for Trump's 2024 campaign, mainly contributing over $250 million towards it, according to reports. However, his actions in the administration were marked by controversies, including court battles and public uproar.
His role in the Trump administration affected his business reputation as well. Critics labeled his government involvement as harsh, particularly regarding the job losses and restructuring efforts. These criticisms extended even to his primary ventures, with Tesla becoming a center of protests against his administration role.
- Despite the controversies surrounding his political involvement, Elon Musk's SpaceX might secure a city in Texas named Starbase, a win likely to boost his reputation after a tough few months.
- In Donald Trump's administration, Elon Musk held a unique position as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a role that made him responsible for significant budget cuts and layoffs across federal agencies.
- The general news about Musk's business, SpaceX, and Tesla, has been marred by protests due to the unemployment caused by his efforts to reduce the federal workforce and his close association with the Trump administration.
- The forthcoming vote for the city of Starbase, primarily consisting of SpaceX employees and those connected to the company, might not be as contentious as Musk's governmental actions, given the political landscape in space-and-astronomy and politics.
- If elected to office, Musk's space-oriented city could serve as a symbol of his scientific and economic contributions, potentially helping to offset the damage to his business reputation caused by his past political involvements and job restructuring efforts.
