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By Dan Gooding and Hannah Parry
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Texas Governor Greg Abbott's office said Monday that Elon Musk had sent Abbott a number of "embarrassing" emails in the past few months.
NPR's Lauren McGaughy reported that when she requested the emails from Abbott's office, it declined to turn them over, saying they were too "intimate and embarrassing" to release.
Newsweek reached out to Musk via X and Abbott's office via email for comment Monday afternoon.
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Why It Matters
Musk, founder of SpaceX and CEO of Tesla, has drawn praise from Abbott for moving several corporate headquarters to Texas and inspiring the creation of the state's Government Efficiency Office.
Abbott's office's refusal to release the emails also comes weeks after the Texas Supreme Court issued a ruling that narrowed the public's legal options to seek government documents under the state's open records law.
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What To Know
McGaughy wrote on X that she requested Musk's correspondence with Abbott as part of an effort by The Texas Newsroom, a collaboration of NPR stations across Texas, to gain an understanding of Musk's influence over the Texas legislature.
After the outlet, alongside ProPublica, requested the emails and paid nearly $250 in processing fees, Abbott's office reportedly said the records were confidential and could not be released.
McGaughy wrote that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will issue a formal opinion on whether or not to release the records.
Matthew Taylor, Abbott's public information coordinator, listed communications with lawyers, policy-making discussions, and "investment enticement strategies" as protected by privilege.
Taylor also cited "common-law privacy" because of the emails' "intimate" nature. He argued that disclosure "would discourage open exchanges necessary for effective government decision-making."
Efforts to compel the release of the emails are complicated by the state Supreme Court's June decision restricting the enforceability of public records requirements. Under the ruling, only the Supreme Court itself can review compliance challenges, effectively raising the bar for transparency lawsuits targeting senior officials like the governor.
Kevin Bagnall, representing SpaceX, echoed Abbott's request for confidentiality, citing "competitive threats" if the contents became public.
SpaceX's full arguments were heavily redacted from filings. Abbott's spokesperson said that "the office complies with the Texas Public Information Act and will release all non-confidential information," but Musk and his representatives did not provide comment as of publication.
The friction over potentially "embarrassing" content mirrors prior instances where Musk's actions made headlines.
In April, the billionaire abruptly ended a video game livestream after being publicly heckled and defeated in a popular action role-playing game, Path of Exile 2, on his own platform.
Musk was ruthlessly mocked during the livestream, including getting viral comments about his gaming credentials and the performance of Tesla's stock.
Musk's business activities and relocation to Texas have also substantially raised his profile among state lawmakers and policy architects. Abbott previously said Musk's advice influenced the formation of Texas' own government efficiency office. Lawmakers in Texas passed several new statutes following Musk's lobbying, though the content and nature of his emails relating to those efforts isn't clear.
What People Are Saying
Bill Aleshire, a Texas-based attorney specializing in public records law, told ProPublica: "Right now, it appears they've charged you $244 for records they have no intention of giving you. That is shocking."
Governor Abbott's office, in a statement to The Texas Newsroom: "The Office of the Governor rigorously complies with the Texas Public Information Act and will release any responsive information that is determined to not be confidential or excepted from disclosure."
What Happens Next
The Texas attorney general's office has up to 45 business days from Abbott's request to issue a binding decision on whether some or all of the emails must be released.
The outcome will affect not only the disclosure of the Musk-Abbott correspondence but also clarify the legal landscape for future public records disputes involving Texas' highest offices.
Update 7/14/25, 1:45 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with additional information and remarks.
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