On October 2, 2025, US District Judge Sparkle Sooknanan rejected Elon Musk’s attempt to transfer a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) lawsuit from Washington, DC, to Texas. Musk argued that litigating in DC burdens his demanding schedule. However, the judge noted his “considerable means” and frequent travel. For instance, Musk spent significant time in DC this year leading the Department of Government Efficiency.
Moreover, Sooknanan highlighted heavier caseloads in Texas courts. Consequently, her court can proceed faster. She also dismissed Musk’s alternative request to move the case to Manhattan, where former Twitter shareholders are suing him.
Musk called himself an “incredibly busy individual,” working over 80 hours weekly and often sleeping at offices or factories. Nevertheless, the judge found this unpersuasive, citing his time in DC. Musk’s legal team offered no immediate comment. An SEC spokesperson, citing the government shutdown, also declined to comment. Notably, Musk’s net worth hit $500 billion on October 1, 2025, per Forbes.
The SEC sued Musk in January 2025, alleging an 11-day delay in disclosing his 5% Twitter stake in early 2022. This allowed him to buy over $500 million in shares at lower prices, saving about $150 million at investors’ expense, the SEC claims. It seeks a civil fine and disgorgement of those savings.
Musk wants the case dismissed, arguing the delay was unintentional. He disclosed a 9.2% stake on April 4, 2022, after legal advice. In August 2025, he labeled the suit as SEC harassment tied to his criticisms of the agency. Musk acquired Twitter for $44 billion in October 2022 and rebranded it as X.
