Sheriff Elon Musk now has his own city

With Elon Musk, like Sam Lion, we have gotten into the habit of not being surprised by anything. But sometimes it’s not easy!

If Tesla’s sales struggle to reach the stars and Starship rockets often end in fireworks, Elon Musk can take comfort: he now has his own city. Welcome to Starbase, the brand-new municipality in Texas, which was established through a widespread vote in favor of incorporation. With 212 votes for and only 6 against, the project was approved last Saturday, pending official certification.

Located near the Mexican border, this former unincorporated community of Boca Chica Village now spans 1.5 square miles. Transformed over the years by SpaceX, it now hosts launch facilities, roads, and even services like schools and healthcare, all overseen by the Musk empire. Yes, Starbase resembles a corporate town straight out of a space western.

A Fulfillment for Musk

Musk, who had dreamed of this incorporation since 2021, celebrated the news on his social network X, proudly declaring: “It’s now a real city!”. The municipal structure, according to SpaceX, should facilitate launch operations and improve the management of local services.

But not everyone shares this enthusiasm. Some residents and associations see it as a concerning extension of Musk’s influence. Among the hotspots: the possibility for Starbase to control access to Boca Chica Beach during launches, at the expense of the public. Environmental activists and indigenous rights defenders protested this weekend, denouncing ecological and cultural impacts. Starbase is ready for liftoff. Let’s hope it avoids the Starship syndrome!

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