SpaceX says Musk must approve any Tesla merger, despite his recusal from talks

SpaceX said Thursday in a regulatory filing that any potential merger with Tesla would require approval from its controlling investor, Elon Musk, even though he has recused himself from talks between the two companies over conflicts of interest. The filing said no determination has been made by SpaceX's special committee, and any combination would also need approval from its board and controlling shareholder. The disclosure followed Musk's comments on Tuesday, in which he endorsed a merger and said both companies had formed special committees to discuss one. Musk owns nearly a fifth of Tesla and holds voting control at SpaceX, and analysts say a merger would give him control of the combined company.

Reuters, the alternative source, leads with SpaceX's filing and Musk's recusal, staying close to the company's wording. The New York Post, on the right, leads with the same filing but adds Musk's endorsement, the potential $3.5 trillion deal value, and Reuters reporting that insiders worry his comments could delay the process by several weeks. NPR, on the left, leads with Musk's statements about the special committees and adds that a merger would require approval from 50% of shareholders. All three agree on the committees and Musk's approval role, but they differ in emphasis.