Donald Trump says relationship with Elon Musk over after feud as JD Vance brands Space X boss 'so nuclear'
Donald Trump has signalled his relationship with Elon Musk is over following their explosive public falling-out.
When asked if the relationship between the two former close friends and allies was over, the US president told NBC News: 'I would assume so, yeah.'
When pressed on whether he wanted to repair the rift, he said, 'No.'
It comes after a dramatic bust-up between President Trump and the Tesla and SpaceX CEO, who once sat at the heart of the administration.
Vice President JD Vance accused Musk of going 'so nuclear', telling podcaster Theo Von that this was 'a big mistake' and that Musk may never be welcomed back into Republican circles.
Musk previously pumped an estimated $250 million into Trump's re-election campaign and briefly served as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge). The rift began when the tech billionaire turned on his former ally over the president's flagship tax-and-spend policy, the 'Big Beautiful Bill.'
Musk expressed concerns that the bill would bloat the deficit and unravel Doge's spending cuts. The rift escalated dramatically after he left the department after a short 129-day stint, taking to X to slam the bill as a 'disgusting abomination.'
Trump said he was 'disappointed' in Musk's conduct, sparking an explosive social media tit-for-tat between the pair.
Musk claimed Trump would be lost without him and referenced unproven links between Trump and the late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. The post was deleted, and Epstein's lawyer has publicly denied the allegations.
Trump hit back on Truth Social, branding Musk 'crazy' and warning he may terminate the billionaire's federal contracts. He told NBC 'He's been disrespectful to the office of the president. It's a very bad thing.'
Musk has hinted he might back Republican challengers, and even Democrats, in the upcoming midterms. Trump warned of 'serious consequences' if Musk supports opposition candidates.
The US President Donald Trump looked to put the feud aside as he attended UFC event at the Prudential Centre in New Jersey on Saturday night.
Mr Trump was accompanied by UFC president Dana White and the pair headed to their cage-side seats for UFC 316 to Kid Rock's track American Bad Ass. Mr Trump and Mr White did the same for UFC's card last November at Madison Square Garden - only then they were joined by Mr Musk.
On Saturday, Mr Trump shook hands with fans and supporters - a heavyweight line-up that included retired boxing great Mike Tyson - on his way to the cage. He was joined by his daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner, along with son Eric Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
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