Tech-industry experts say Musk’s takeover is far more motivated by his own ego than any political agenda. Credit: Shutterstock

Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted, then deleted, a message supporting Elon Musk on Thursday following a media report that the Tesla CEO sexually harassed a flight attendant six years ago.

Yesterday, news outlet Business Insider reported that billionaire Musk exposed himself to a flight attendant on a private jet in 2016 and rubbed her leg without consent. According to the story’s allegations, SpaceX — which Musk owns — paid $250,000 to settle the claim two years later.

In response to the report, Musk tweeted that the allegations were politically driven, and that attacks wouldn’t deter him from “fighting for a good future and your right to free speech.” The statement was a clear reference to Musk’s recent bid to purchase Twitter.

Abbott retweeted Musk’s tirade, writing that the billionaire “picked the right state to move to.” Musk relocated to Austin in 2020, where he opened a Tesla production plant. His SpaceX firm operates a facility in South Texas.

Abbott’s tweet was deleted shortly after he posted it, and at press time, the Republican governor hadn’t acknowledged the removal. The removal seems to be an about face for Abbott, who’s frequently fawned over Musk on Twitter and even taken credit in a tweet for helping lure Tesla to Texas. Business Insider’s allegations come as Musk faces a tumultuous week. The billionaire backtracked on his bid to buy Twitter as both Tesla’s and Twitter’s shares continued to drop amid a market sell-off.

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This article appears in May 18-31, 2022.

Michael Karlis is a multimedia journalist at the San Antonio Current, whose coverage in print and on social media focuses on local and state politics. He is a graduate of American University in Washington,...