Musk previously criticized the now-dropped lawsuit
Elon Musk’s latest appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience has stirred the pot once again, with the billionaire breaking his silence on the Biden administration’s dropped discrimination lawsuit against SpaceX. Musk didn’t hold back, using his now-famous “spicy tamale” podcast moment to go all in on his belief that the Biden administration has been out to get him and his ventures.
The lawsuit, originally filed in 2023, accused SpaceX of violating federal law by requiring job applicants to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents—claims that it discriminated against refugees and asylum seekers. But last month, the case was suddenly dropped after the Department of Justice moved to lift a stay on the matter. This gave Musk the perfect opportunity to set the record straight on Rogan’s show.
“People say I’m making this up, that the Biden administration wasn’t against SpaceX. Well, I’m like, bro, the DOJ had a huge lawsuit against us for not hiring asylum seekers, even though it’s illegal for us to hire anyone who isn’t a permanent resident,” Musk said on the podcast.
He pointed to a crucial law requiring aerospace companies dealing with “advanced weapons technology” to hire only permanent residents. “It’s both legal and illegal to hire asylum seekers,” Musk clarified, adding that the lawsuit was a clear attempt to attack SpaceX, stating, “It’s not my imagination—why would they launch such a massive lawsuit against SpaceX? They’re extremely antagonistic.”
Musk’s frustration echoed his previous criticism when the lawsuit was filed, calling it a prime example of “weaponization of the DOJ for political purposes.” To make matters worse, Musk also accused the Biden administration of intentionally leaving astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams stranded on the International Space Station due to a personal grudge against SpaceX. According to Musk, SpaceX was the sole provider of the rocket that would bring the astronauts home.
However, the delay had nothing to do with political maneuvering—it was due to technical issues with the Crew-10 spacecraft, despite public pressure from former President Trump to get the astronauts back.
There’s been growing speculation that Musk might be using his influence within the current Trump administration to secure advantages for SpaceX. Rumors swirl that Starlink, one of Musk’s other ventures, is receiving a $2.4 billion air traffic control contract originally given to Verizon. Additionally, some have questioned whether the Trump administration’s intervention played a role in the removal of an FAA fine against SpaceX, reviewed by DOGE officials in the current administration.
Whatever the case, Musk’s latest podcast appearance has added more fuel to the fire surrounding his relationship with the Biden administration—and the political chess game involving SpaceX’s future.
