Elon Musk has unusual relationships with women at SpaceX, WSJ reports

Elon Musk had a sexual relationship with a former SpaceX intern he later hired onto his executive team, according to Wall Street Journal. He also had a sexual relationship with a second employee. And a third woman alleged that Musk asked her multiple times to have children; she refused. He then denied her a raise and complained about her performance.

One of the women with whom Musk had a sexual relationship also drew the ire of SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell, who accused her of having an affair with Shotwell’s husband. When the woman reported this to HR, HR told Shotwell. “Shotwell told SpaceX’s HR department that he wanted the woman removed as chief executive,” Wall Street Journal he wrote.

O DailyThe article cites text messages, emails and other documents. It is based on interviews with more than 48 people, including friends and family of the women, as well as former employees.

Musk did not respond WSJ’s requests for comments. Shotwell said that WSJ comment request “paint[s] a completely misleading narrative” of what it’s like to work for SpaceX, and that the WSJ the story does not reflect the culture of SpaceX. She also said that SpaceX investigates all harassment complaints and responds appropriately.