Why Gov. Greg Abbott Wont Release His Emails With Elon Musk
3 minute readPublished: Monday, July 14, 2025 at 10:00 am
Texas Governor Fights Release of Communications with Elon Musk
Texas Governor Greg Abbott is attempting to block the release of months of email communications with Elon Musk and representatives from Musk's companies. The Texas Newsroom, in collaboration with The Texas Tribune, requested the emails dating back to last fall as part of an investigation into the billionaire's influence in the state.
Initially, the Governor's office provided a cost estimate for reviewing the records, which the newsroom paid. However, after receiving payment, the office stated it believed the records were confidential and sought a ruling from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
The Governor's office cited several reasons for withholding the records, including the private nature of the exchanges, details about policy-making decisions, and information about how the state attracts businesses. They argue that releasing the emails would have a "chilling effect" on open discussion and that the communications are protected under common-law privacy, as they contain intimate and embarrassing information not of public interest.
Legal experts, including Bill Aleshire, have criticized the Governor's stance, particularly the claim that months of emails between the Governor's office and a prominent businessman are entirely private. Aleshire noted that the Governor's office charged for records they have no intention of releasing. He also pointed out that a recent Texas Supreme Court ruling limits the ability to enforce public records laws against top state officials.
A lawyer representing SpaceX, Musk's rocket company, also wrote to the Attorney General, arguing that the emails contain commercial information that could cause substantial competitive harm if disclosed.
The Attorney General's office has 45 business days to decide whether to release the records.
BNN's Perspective:
While the Governor's office has a responsibility to protect legitimate privacy concerns, the public also has a right to transparency, especially when it comes to communications with influential figures like Elon Musk. The Governor's office should strive to balance these competing interests, providing as much information as possible while respecting legitimate privacy claims. The Attorney General's decision will be crucial in determining the extent of transparency in this matter.
Keywords: Greg Abbott, Elon Musk, Texas, public records, emails, transparency, privacy, Texas Newsroom, Ken Paxton, SpaceX, common-law privacy, government, business, communications, confidential.