Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott invited Elon Musk to move Twitter from California to the Lone Star State after the billionaire’s purchase of the social media platform on Monday.
Abbott shared the invitation on Monday evening after the announcement of Musk’s offer to purchase Twitter had been approved.
“@elonmusk. Bring Twitter to Texas to join Tesla, SpaceX & the Boring company,” Abbott wrote.
.@elonmusk. Bring Twitter to Texas to join Tesla, SpaceX & the Boring company.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) April 25, 2022
Abbott has been a strong advocate for both free speech and for businesses moving to Texas.
The governor also highlighted on Sunday that his state has the lowest business operating costs in America.
Another reason why Texas is #1 for business:
We have the lowest business operating costs in America.https://t.co/QIYMOvp6hW
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) April 25, 2022
Abbott commented on his state’s job growth last week as well, noting in another Twitter post that Texas has added more than 30,100 jobs in March and 152,200 jobs in 2022.
Job growth continues to surge in Texas!
Texas has added…
✔️ More than 30,100 jobs in March
✔️ Roughly 152,200 jobs added in 2022
✔️Countless opportunities for successhttps://t.co/vgnaWdpy8Z— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) April 20, 2022
Abbott may have some competition if Musk decides to move the Twitter headquarters. South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem was also quick to extend an invitation to Musk.
.@ElonMusk, if Twitter is in need of a new HQ, South Dakota is open for business.
— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) April 25, 2022
Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis was also among conservative governors to applaud Musk’s purchase of Twitter.
“@elonmusk’s offer to buy Twitter is a good deal for shareholders and raises the prospect that the platform will be a place where free speech can thrive, not a tool for narrative enforcement,” he wrote.
.@elonmusk’s offer to buy Twitter is a good deal for shareholders and raises the prospect that the platform will be a place where free speech can thrive, not a tool for narrative enforcement.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) April 25, 2022
The Daily Wire previously reported that Twitter announced late on Monday that it has entered a definitive agreement to be acquired by Elon Musk for $54.20 per share in a deal valued at $44 billion.
The transaction was unanimously approved by Twitter’s board and is expected to close this year subject to the approval of Twitter’s shareholders and other regulatory approvals.
“Under the terms of the agreement, Twitter stockholders will receive $54.20 in cash for each share of Twitter common stock that they own upon closing of the proposed transaction,” Twitter said in a statement. “The purchase price represents a 38% premium to Twitter’s closing stock price on April 1, 2022, which was the last trading day before Mr. Musk disclosed his approximately 9% stake in Twitter.”
Twitter headquarters is currently located in California. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has yet to personally comment on the announcement of Musk’s purchase of Twitter.
Erin Mellon, a spokesperson for Newsom, told Cal Matters: “Even after Elon Musk announced Tesla’s move to Texas, they expanded in California. And Elon has started all of his businesses in California, presumably because he knows this is where innovation and talent lives. … Governor Abbott should focus on the people and business whose employees feel threatened, attacked and intimidated by his misogynistic and anti-LGBTQ agenda.”
On April 9, Musk posted a now-deleted tweet that asked if Twitter’s San Francisco headquarters should be turned into a “homeless shelter since no one shows up anyway” due to the company’s work-from-home policy.
With more than 1.5 million votes cast, more than 91% of respondents responded yes to Musk’s Twitter poll.
I’m serious about this one btw
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 10, 2022
Musk later wrote about the idea, “I’m serious about this one btw.”