Trump severs connection with Musk, threatens repercussions for backing Democrats.
What began as a powerful partnership between President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk has spiraled into a public feud, with far-reaching implications for politics, business, and governance.
The Breaking Point
The once-strong alliance between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and X, has reached a breaking point. In a recent phone interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker, Trump made it clear that he has no intention of reconciling with Musk. When asked if their relationship was over, Trump responded bluntly, “I would assume so, yeah.” He added, “I’m too busy doing other things. I won an election in a landslide. I gave him a lot of breaks, long before this happened, I gave him breaks in my first administration, and saved his life in my first administration, I have no intention of speaking to him.”
A Warning of Consequences
Trump’s comments didn’t stop at dismissing reconciliation. He issued a stark warning to Musk amid speculation that the billionaire might support Democratic candidates in the 2026 midterm elections. “If he does, he’ll have to pay the consequences for that,” Trump told NBC, though he refrained from specifying what those consequences might entail. Given Musk’s extensive federal contracts through his companies, this statement carries significant weight, hinting at potential retribution against one of the world’s richest men.
The Spark of the Feud
The rift began to surface publicly on Thursday when Musk openly criticized Trump’s “big beautiful bill” pending in Congress. Musk labeled the bill a “disgusting abomination,” warning that it would balloon the federal deficit. The disagreement quickly escalated as Trump and Musk traded personal attacks on social media, leaving White House aides and Republican congressional leaders scrambling to manage the fallout. Musk’s posts went as far as suggesting, without evidence, that Trump should be impeached and even alluded to unsubstantiated claims about the president’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
Musk’s Social Media Barrage
Musk’s social media activity on X, the platform he owns, intensified the conflict. He called for Congress to reject Trump’s bill and made inflammatory remarks, including claims about withheld government records related to Epstein. By Saturday morning, Musk appeared to have deleted some of his more controversial posts, perhaps signaling a slight retreat. However, the damage was done, with Trump branding Musk as “CRAZY” and threatening to cut his companies’ government contracts.
Efforts to Defuse the Tension
Vice President JD Vance attempted to downplay the feud in an interview with “manosphere” comedian Theo Von, taped at a Nashville restaurant owned by Trump ally Kid Rock. Vance described Musk as an “emotional guy” who had made a “huge mistake” by attacking Trump. “I hope that eventually Elon comes back into the fold. Maybe that’s not possible now because he’s gone so nuclear,” Vance said, emphasizing that Trump had shown restraint. He also defended the controversial bill, arguing that its primary goal was to extend the 2017 tax cuts from Trump’s first term, despite projections from the Congressional Budget Office that it would increase deficits by $2.4 trillion over a decade and leave 10.9 million people without health insurance.
Republican Reactions
Other Republicans have urged Trump and Musk to mend their relationship, recognizing the political and economic stakes. Vance praised Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, which aimed to reduce federal spending but resulted in significant layoffs. He called Musk an “incredible entrepreneur” while dismissing his criticisms of Trump as unhelpful. Some House Republicans, who faced backlash for supporting the bill without fully reviewing it, were also called out by Vance, who noted that the bill’s text had been available for weeks.
A Broader Context
The Trump-Musk feud comes at a time when both men wield enormous influence. Trump, fresh off a landslide election victory, has shown a willingness to use his authority to target critics. Musk, as a major government contractor, faces unique vulnerabilities, with his companies relying on federal contracts for revenue. The public nature of their conflict, amplified by social media, has turned a personal disagreement into a political spectacle, with implications for the Republican Party, the business community, and the 2026 midterms.
What’s Next?
As the dust settles, questions remain about whether this rift can be repaired or if it will escalate further. Musk’s deletion of some posts may indicate a desire to de-escalate, but Trump’s firm stance suggests otherwise. With Musk’s businesses under scrutiny and Trump’s administration poised to push its legislative agenda, the fallout from this feud could reshape alliances and influence policy decisions in the months ahead.
