Trump Administration Considers Land Exchange with SpaceX in Texas

Dec 25, 2025, 2:48 AM

Hover over text to view sources

The Trump administration is weighing a deal with SpaceX that would give Elon Musk's aerospace company 775 acres of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. The reported exchange would involve SpaceX trading 692 acres of land it owns elsewhere in Cameron County, some of which is located 20 miles away from the refuge.

This land exchange aims to facilitate SpaceX's expansion of its rocket launch operations, a move that has raised concerns among critics regarding potential ecological damage and threats to nearby wildlife habitats. A spokesperson for the Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed the potential deal, stating that the federal government is exploring an exchange that "advances long-term wildlife conservation" while aligning with the administration's goals of enhancing American innovation and economic competitiveness.

However, it remains unclear whether the deal would impose any requirements on SpaceX to take measures for wildlife preservation on the newly acquired land. The Lower Rio Grande Valley Refuge is home to two endangered wild cat species, the ocelot and the jaguarundi, which could be affected by the expansion of SpaceX's operations.

SpaceX had previously engaged in a land swap agreement with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission in 2024 but later withdrew from that deal. That earlier agreement would have allowed SpaceX to acquire 43 acres of Boca Chica State Park in exchange for 477 acres near the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. The current proposal suggests that some of the land SpaceX would relinquish in the new exchange could be added to the Laguna Atascosa refuge, potentially benefiting local wildlife conservation efforts.

The presence of SpaceX in South Texas has become increasingly prominent, particularly with the establishment of a new city named Starbase, which is primarily populated by SpaceX employees. This potential land exchange could represent another significant win for SpaceX, following a series of favorable developments over the past year.

In May, the Federal Aviation Administration granted SpaceX approval to increase the number of rocket launches in South Texas. Additionally, in June, the Texas Legislature authorized the company to close a nearby beach for its launches, and in September, a judge dismissed a lawsuit against the FAA concerning the environmental impacts of a failed SpaceX rocket launch earlier in 2023.

As discussions continue regarding the land exchange, the implications for both SpaceX's operations and local wildlife conservation efforts remain a critical focus for stakeholders involved in the process.

Trump Imposes 25% Tariff on Select AI Chips

President Donald Trump has enacted a 25% tariff on certain advanced AI chips, including Nvidia's H200 and AMD's MI325X, citing national security concerns. The move aims to bolster domestic semiconductor production and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains.

Texas Democrats Demand Investigation into Elon Musk's AI Chatbot

Texas House Democrats are urging an investigation into Elon Musk's AI chatbot, Grok, over allegations of generating sexually explicit images, including those of minors. The call for action follows reports of Grok producing thousands of sexualized images per hour, raising concerns about compliance with state laws aimed at protecting children.

Hegseth Unveils Plans to Transform DOD's AI and Tech Hubs

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced a comprehensive strategy to enhance the Department of Defense's capabilities in artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies. This initiative aims to create a unified innovation ecosystem to accelerate the military's technological advancements and improve operational efficiency.

White House Science Director Discusses AI Strategy in Senate Hearing

Michael Kratsios, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, testified before the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on the implementation of the Trump administration's AI Action Plan. He emphasized the importance of US leadership in AI technology and the need for a cohesive regulatory framework to foster innovation.

Tech Investor Proposes Alternatives to California's Wealth Tax Debate

As California's proposed wealth tax for billionaires sparks debate, tech investor David Friedberg suggests alternative revenue-raising strategies. He highlights the loopholes in current tax systems and proposes taxing capital gains on borrowed assets as a more effective solution.