Elon Musk has finally addressed the recent lawsuit filed against SpaceX and himself by eight former employees, who accuse the company of fostering a hostile work environment, sexual harassment, and retaliatory practices. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles on Wednesday, has stirred significant controversy and public interest.
The plaintiffs, including engineers Paige Holland-Thielen and Rebekah Clark, allege that the work culture at SpaceX, driven from the top down by Musk, was deeply problematic. They describe an environment where women were treated as sexual objects, subjected to lewd banter, and faced retaliation if they spoke out. Holland-Thielen recounts an incident where a senior engineer made a sexual allusion during a work discussion, and despite reporting it to HR, she was dismissed before any investigation outcome was disclosed.
Clark’s allegations highlight a pervasive issue within the company, noting that male colleagues often echoed Musk’s sexually charged Twitter comments. When she suggested that Musk clarify his tweets were personal and not representative of SpaceX, she was met with dismissive responses, including one from Vice President Jon Edwards, who allegedly said, “SpaceX is Elon and Elon is SpaceX.”
In response to the accusations, Elon Musk issued a statement on Twitter, saying, “The allegations made in the lawsuit are false and misleading. SpaceX maintains a strict ‘no asshole’ policy and has zero tolerance for sexual harassment. Any claims suggesting otherwise are categorically untrue. We investigate all complaints thoroughly and take appropriate action where necessary.”
Musk’s statement comes amid broader scrutiny of SpaceX’s internal practices. The lawsuit asserts that Musk personally ordered the dismissal of employees who had raised concerns, a claim supported by the National Labor Relations Board, which earlier filed a complaint alleging illegal terminations.
Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX’s president and COO, also defended the company, asserting that it takes sexual harassment complaints seriously. “The untruths, mischaracterizations, and revisionist history in these claims paint a completely misleading narrative. I continue to be amazed by what this extraordinary group of people are achieving every day, even amidst all the forces acting against us. And Elon is one of the best humans I know,” Shotwell said.
The lawsuit follows a series of allegations against Musk and SpaceX, including a 2018 incident involving a former flight attendant who claimed the company paid her $250,000 after Musk exposed himself and propositioned her.
As the case unfolds, it will continue to draw attention to SpaceX’s workplace culture and Musk’s leadership. The plaintiffs’ attorney, Anne Shaver, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “To have been terminated for protesting SpaceX’s utter failure to take basic measures to prevent sexual harassment is patently retaliatory, wrong, and actionable.”
SpaceX has yet to issue an official comment on the lawsuit beyond Shotwell’s
