Thu Oct 02 18:05:05 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, failed to convince a federal judge to move an SEC lawsuit from Washington, DC, to Texas. The SEC accuses Musk of illegally profiting $150 million by delaying the disclosure of his Twitter stake. Musk argued that his busy schedule made attending the DC case a burden, but the judge ruled that Musk has the resources to travel and spends a significant amount of time outside of Texas anyway. She also cited heavier caseloads in Texas and her court’s ability to proceed quickly. Musk sought to dismiss the case, and also suggested Manhattan as an alternative venue, where other lawsuits related to his Twitter acquisition are already underway.

**News Article:**

**Judge Rejects Musk’s Bid to Move SEC Lawsuit Over Twitter Stake**

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A federal judge has denied Elon Musk’s request to move a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) lawsuit from Washington, D.C., to Texas. The SEC alleges that Musk illegally saved $150 million by delaying the disclosure of his initial 5% stake in Twitter (now X) in early 2022, allowing him to purchase additional shares at artificially low prices.

Musk, citing his demanding schedule, argued that litigating the case in Washington would impose “substantial burdens.” He stated he worked over 80 hours a week and often sleeps in his office.

However, U.S. District Judge Sparkle Sooknanan dismissed Musk’s argument. “I takes Mr. Musk’s convenience seriously” but that the world’s richest person has “considerable means” and spends at least 40 percent of his time outside Texas,” she wrote in her ruling, pointing to Musk’s frequent travels and past role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under President Trump.

She added that Texas courts already face heavier caseloads and that her court can proceed with the case promptly. Musk also proposed moving the case to Manhattan, where he is already facing lawsuits from former Twitter shareholders, but that was rejected as well.

The SEC is seeking a civil fine and the return of the $150 million it claims Musk saved at the expense of unsuspecting investors. Musk is seeking to dismiss the case.

A spokesperson for the SEC declined to comment due to the ongoing government shutdown. Musk’s lawyers have yet to respond to requests for comment. The legal battle adds another layer to the saga of Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, which he later renamed X, for $44 billion in October 2022. Musk lives in Austin, Texas, and his companies Tesla, SpaceX and the Boring Company are based in the state.

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