Donald Trump not interested in talking to Elon Musk as feud gets nasty - here's what could happen next
Donald Trump and Elon Musk feud has taken a sharp turn as the U.S. President refuses to speak with the Tesla and SpaceX CEO over a controversial tax-cut bill. Trump, frustrated with Musk's opposition to the bill—which adds $2.4 trillion in debt—threatened to cancel SpaceX contracts. The fallout is affecting Tesla shares and political alliances, with Musk pulling back support. Their public rift could impact the 2026 midterms and Republican unity. As Musk questions Trump's spending, their once-close relationship now risks damaging key government programs and conservative efforts. Here's what's really going on behind the scenes of this high-stakes political drama.
Donald Trump and Elon Musk clash over tax bill, government contracts, and national debt concerns, shaking up Washington politics, Tesla shares, and the future of SpaceX. Here's what triggered the feud, what's at stake, and what could happen next.
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
Why did Trump refuse to speak with Elon Musk?
What sparked the Trump-Musk fallout?
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
How are Trump's threats affecting SpaceX and Tesla?
How does this feud affect the Republican agenda?
Could Musk's actions hurt Trump's reelection and Republican control?
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
What comes next if Trump and Musk don't reconcile?
FAQs:
Donald Trump and Elon Musk feud deepens amid tax bill fight and contract threats. U.S. President Donald Trump has firmly shut the door on a potential conversation with Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, escalating a bitter public feud that threatens both Republican unity and key economic legislation. Despite efforts from top White House aides to arrange a call between the two influential figures on Friday, Trump made it clear he wasn't interested. 'I'm not even thinking about Elon. He's got a problem, the poor guy's got a problem,' the president told CNN.This sharp fallout comes at a time when Trump is pushing to get his sweeping tax-cut and spending bill passed through the Senate. But Musk's vocal opposition to the plan—and Trump's growing frustration with him—could derail the bill and spark broader political and financial consequences.According to a White House official, speaking anonymously to Reuters, there were early attempts to get the two men on a call. Initially, a different aide had even suggested that a conversation was scheduled. But as tensions mounted, Trump canceled any potential contact and turned his focus elsewhere.Trump has reportedly considered ditching the red Tesla Model S he proudly bought in March after showcasing Musk's vehicles on the White House lawn. The message was clear—he's distancing himself, both politically and personally.At the center of the fallout is Trump's signature tax-cut and spending bill, a core part of his domestic agenda. Elon Musk has slammed the proposal, calling it a 'disgusting abomination' that would add $2.4 trillion to the national debt over the next decade. Musk's criticisms have been echoed on his platform, X, where he agreed with posts suggesting Trump's bill could harm Republicans in the upcoming elections.Trump, who once described the bill as a 'big beautiful' win for America, was clearly frustrated. After Musk's remarks, Trump responded with his own attacks, threatening to cancel SpaceX and Starlink contracts, a move that would have significant implications for U.S. space operations.The tensions immediately impacted Tesla's stock. On Thursday, shares dropped by 14%, wiping out a staggering $150 billion in value—the largest single-day loss in the company's history. On Friday, the stock made a slight recovery, but uncertainty remains high.Meanwhile, Musk warned that if Trump were to follow through with cutting SpaceX contracts, he would start decommissioning the Dragon spacecraft—the only American vehicle currently capable of transporting astronauts to the International Space Station. Although Musk later walked back that threat, it shows how serious the stakes have become.Musk's resistance to Trump's tax and spending plan is more than a personal disagreement—it's a major political hurdle. The bill has already passed the House of Representatives but faces a tougher battle in the Senate, where Republicans hold a slim majority. Without Musk's backing, and possibly his financial support, the party's unity is at risk.House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has reportedly been texting with Musk, hopes the issue will resolve. 'I don't argue with him about how to build rockets, and I wish he wouldn't argue with me about how to craft legislation and pass it,' Johnson told CNBC.Musk, who funded a large part of Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, has already hinted at pulling back. Last week, he said he'd reduce political spending, and just this Tuesday, he called for voters to 'fire all politicians who betrayed the American people.'The public feud also opens the door to more disruption within the GOP, especially as Silicon Valley donors and business leaders closely watch the spat. Some fear Musk may not just stop his support—he could actively mobilize against Trump's policies.Investor James Fishback, one of Musk's few vocal allies, called on the billionaire to apologize to Trump, noting, 'President Trump has shown grace and patience at a time when Elon's behavior is disappointing and frankly downright disturbing.'There's growing speculation about how this could all play out. Trump remains adamant about pushing his multi-trillion-dollar economic plan, but without the help of one of his most high-profile allies, the road ahead looks rocky.Behind the scenes, political analysts warn that the GOP could suffer setbacks in the 2026 midterm elections if the Musk rift grows. While Musk hasn't entirely ruled out making peace—he responded 'You're not wrong' to a post urging reconciliation—it's clear the relationship is at a breaking point.The public split also risks damaging consumer confidence in Tesla and trust in SpaceX's role in government programs. With both sides trading shots, and the economy hanging in the balance, this Trump-Musk feud is more than a headline—it's a high-stakes political and economic clash with far-reaching consequences.Trump is upset because Musk criticized his tax-cut bill and its $2.4 trillion debt impact.Trump may cancel SpaceX deals if the conflict with Musk continues.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
Trump vs Musk: Nasa, Pentagon rattled by ISS threat- officials warn space program caught in feud
Nasa logo, left, and Elon Musk (Image credits: AP) Nasa and the Pentagon moved quickly this past week to contact alternative spaceflight providers after a public spat between US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk raised new fears about the government's reliance on SpaceX . The situation escalated when Musk, responding to Trump's threat to cancel SpaceX contracts, said he would halt flights of the Dragon spacecraft, Nasa's only current vehicle for sending astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). Though Musk later walked back the statement, it sent shockwaves through US space and defense agencies. Following the exchange, Nasa and the Pentagon contacted several commercial companies, including Rocket Lab, Stoke Space, and Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin, about the readiness of their launch systems, according to The Washington Post. Officials at Sierra Space, developing the Dream Chaser spaceplane, confirmed Nasa had reached out and emphasised the agency's interest in avoiding reliance on a single provider. Meanwhile, Boeing's Starliner, originally intended as a backup to Dragon, remains grounded due to technical problems. Officials at Nasa and the Pentagon were alarmed by what they viewed as a sudden and impulsive move, underscoring the vulnerability of depending on a single provider. SpaceX, which holds billions in government contracts, is responsible for ferrying cargo and crew to the ISS and launching some of the military's most sensitive satellites. One Nasa official described the moment as shifting 'from entertaining to terrifying,' while a Pentagon staffer noted, 'This is a real issue, not a TV show.' The feud also appeared to be fueled by the administration's withdrawal of Jared Isaacman's nomination as Nasa administrator. Isaacman, closely linked to Musk, had previously flown with SpaceX. Nasa has long worked closely with SpaceX, despite previous concerns about Musk's behavior. But the latest episode prompted renewed debate about whether critical systems like national missile defense and astronaut transport should be entrusted to a company, or person, capable of making such sweeping decisions unilaterally.
Time of India
44 minutes ago
- Time of India
As Elon Musk's bromance with Trump crumbles, an incident in Mar-a-Lago with Tesla link re-surfaces
As the ongoing feud between US President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk continues to escalate, some are taking the opportunity to bring the attention back to Tesla. In a similar stunt to one pulled over a month ago, a plane with the banner "Save Tesla, Fire Musk" soared over Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate this weekend. While the party behind this message remains unknown, this aerial protest follows speculations that surfaced last month about Tesla 's board considering Musk's replacement as CEO. 'Save Tesla, fire Musk' On April 22, a plane with the same banner slogan was spotted flying over the Texas Capitol building and downtown Austin, corresponding with Tesla's earnings call, reports THE Irish Star. The dispute originally began over Trump's budget bill but quickly escalated after Musk claimed that Trump wouldn't have won the election without his help. Trump then hinted that he might turn the federal government against Musk's businesses, including Tesla and SpaceX. ALSO READ: In Georgia, Pak man with UAE residency denied entry to US state, says 'was treated like a criminal'. Know the revised rules The confrontation reached feverish levels as Musk insinuated that Trump's reluctance to release files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was because Trump himself appeared in them. Live Events The dispute escalated dramatically when Musk claimed that President Trump had not released files related to the infamous paedophile Jeffrey Epstein because Trump himself was implicated in them. On June 5, Musk posted on X, 'Time to drop the really big bomb. @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!' Although this post has since been deleted. In response, President Trump appeared unfazed by the controversy, telling CNN, 'I'm not even thinking about Elon. He's got a problem. The poor guy's got a problem.' ALSO READ: Thomas Fugate: A novice who replaced an army veteran to lead US terror prevention centre Meanwhile, Tesla's shares plunged over 14% in a sharp sell-off as investors reacted to the escalating feud between the CEO and the U.S. President. By the close of trading yesterday, Musk's personal fortune had dropped by an estimated $34 billion—nearly matching the largest single-day loss he suffered back in November 2021. Tesla's market value also took a huge hit, shedding about $150 billion. Despite this massive setback, Musk remains the world's richest person, with an estimated net worth of $334.5 billion. In after-hours trading, Tesla shares rebounded slightly, gaining 0.8%. Investors had poured hundreds of billions into Tesla stock following Trump's election, betting that political factors would favor the company. However, the recent turmoil has served as a reminder of the risks involved in such speculation.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
New disputes emerge ahead of US-China trade talks in London
BEIJING — U.S.-China trade talks in London this week are expected to take up a series of fresh disputes that have buffeted relations, threatening a fragile truce over tariffs. Both sides agreed in Geneva last month to a 90-day suspension of most of the 100%-plus tariffs they had imposed on each other in an escalating trade war that had sparked fears of recession. Since then, the U.S. and China have exchanged angry words over advanced semiconductors that power artificial intelligence, 'rare earths' that are vital to carmakers and other industries, and visas for Chinese students at American universities. President Donald Trump spoke at length with Chinese leader Xi Jinping by phone last Thursday in an attempt to put relations back on track. Trump announced on social media the next day that trade talks would be held on Monday in London. The latest frictions began just a day after the May 12 announcement of the Geneva agreement to 'pause' tariffs for 90 days. The U.S. Commerce Department issued guidance saying the use of Ascend AI chips from Huawei, a leading Chinese tech company, could violate U.S. export controls. That's because the chips were likely developed with American technology despite restrictions on its export to China, the guidance said. The Chinese government wasn't pleased. One of its biggest beefs in recent years has been over U.S. moves to limit the access of Chinese companies to technology, and in particular to equipment and processes needed to produce the most advanced semiconductors. "The Chinese side urges the U.S. side to immediately correct its erroneous practices,' a Commerce Ministry spokesperson said. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick wasn't in Geneva but will join the talks in London. Analysts say that suggests at least a willingness on the U.S. side to hear out China's concerns on export controls. One area where China holds the upper hand is in the mining and processing of rare earths. They are crucial for not only autos but also a range of other products from robots to military equipment. The Chinese government started requiring producers to obtain a license to export seven rare earth elements in April. Resulting shortages sent automakers worldwide into a tizzy. As stockpiles ran down, some worried they would have to halt production. Trump, without mentioning rare earths specifically, took to social media to attack China. 'The bad news is that China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US,' Trump posted on May 30. The Chinese government indicated Saturday that it is addressing the concerns, which have come from European companies as well. A Commerce Ministry statement said it had granted some approvals and 'will continue to strengthen the approval of applications that comply with regulations.' The scramble to resolve the rare earth issue shows that China has a strong card to play if it wants to strike back against tariffs or other measures. Student visas don't normally figure in trade talks, but a U.S. announcement that it would begin revoking the visas of some Chinese students has emerged as another thorn in the relationship. China's Commerce Ministry raised the issue when asked last week about the accusation that it had violated the consensus reached in Geneva. It replied that the U.S. had undermined the agreement by issuing export control guidelines for AI chips, stopping the sale of chip design software to China and saying it would revoke Chinese student visas. 'The United States has unilaterally provoked new economic and trade frictions,' the ministry said in a statement posted on its website. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a May 28 statement that the United States would 'aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.' More than 270,000 Chinese students studied in the U.S. in the 2023-24 academic year.
