Musk's SpaceX sues California commission for blocking more launches, claiming political bias

The rocket company SpaceX owned by Elon Musk has sued the California Coastal Commission in federal court – claiming the panel’s members blocked future rocket launches in the state over the billionaire owner’s conservative political views.

The suit was filed Tuesday in Los Angeles and obtained by news outlets including the Los Angeles Daily News.  

The commission made the decision Oct. 10.

The lawsuit alleges “unconstitutional overreach” by the commission after members criticized Musk’s political leanings during a meeting about whether to approve more frequent SpaceX launches off the California coastline.

The wealthy entrepreneur also owns the electric vehicle company Tesla and the social media platform X, previously known as Twitter. 

“Rarely has a government agency made so clear that it was exceeding its authorized mandate to punish a company for the political views and statements of its largest shareholder and CEO,” SpaceX alleges in the 45-page lawsuit.

Musk has endorsed GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump and recently appeared on stage with him at a campaign rally.