President-elect Donald Trump is set to attend a SpaceX “Starship” rocket launch on Tuesday, showcasing the growing influence of founder Elon Musk within the Republican circle. The Federal Aviation Administration has imposed temporary flight restrictions over Brownsville and Boca Chica, Texas, to accommodate the VIP visit coinciding with SpaceX's launch window for a test of its massive Starship rocket from the Gulf of Mexico launch facility.
During Trump's visit, flight restrictions over his Palm Beach, Florida residence will be briefly lifted to facilitate the security measures in Texas. This visit aligns with Musk's active involvement in Trump's administration, as the billionaire has been a constant presence at Trump's side, participating in various meetings and events.
Trump has previously highlighted SpaceX's achievements on the campaign trail, particularly emphasizing the dramatic capture of the booster at its launchpad by mechanical arms during the last Starship test. The upcoming launch window on Tuesday, scheduled for 4 p.m. central time, will focus on testing the landing capture system of the booster in Texas, with the upper stage aiming for a splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
Musk's significant financial support, estimated at $200 million through his political action committee to aid Trump's election, has solidified his position within the administration. Alongside former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, Musk has been appointed to lead an advisory committee tasked with reducing governmental costs and restructuring Washington's operations.
However, Musk's diverse interests before the federal government have raised ethics concerns regarding his involvement in advisory roles. The Trump transition team has not yet provided a comment on the president-elect's plans to attend the SpaceX Starship rocket launch.
