Acting Chair Stands Alone, Votes Against Suing Musk for Stock Disclosure Delay
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has faced internal divisions regarding its decision to pursue legal action against Elon Musk. Mark Uyeda, the acting SEC chair, was reportedly the only commissioner who opposed suing Musk over his delayed disclosure of his stock purchase in Twitter, now rebranded as X.
According to a report by Reuters, this decision comes at a time when the SEC is dealing with shifting priorities and challenges within the agency. The vote to determine whether Musk should face a lawsuit took place behind closed doors, with Uyeda breaking from the other commissioners who favored legal action.
The SEC had formally filed a lawsuit against Musk in January 2025, alleging that he violated federal securities laws by failing to disclose his acquisition of more than 5% of Twitter’s stock in 2022. This failure to file the necessary report allowed Musk to purchase additional shares at artificially low prices, potentially saving him millions of dollars.
SEC’s Changing Stance
The SEC has been adjusting its approach to regulating cryptocurrency, easing enforcement actions against companies such as Ripple, OpenSea, and Coinbase. This more lenient stance has sparked discussions about the agency’s evolving priorities.
Musk’s involvement in the Trump administration has also generated attention. He was appointed by former President Donald Trump to lead the newly established Department of Government Efficiency, a role designed to streamline regulatory practices. Musk’s relationship with Trump continues to raise speculation about potential influence on regulatory decisions.
The SEC’s case against Musk brings to attention the ongoing debate about how securities laws apply to tech executives, particularly in the changing digital asset space. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for future regulatory actions in the U.S.
