In a recent phone interview with NBC, former US President Donald Trump reiterated that he has no intention of mending his relationship with Elon Musk, expressing significant discontent over Musk’s shift away from supporting him politically. Trump indicated that their connection, once amicable, has likely come to an end, highlighting his busy schedule as a reason for the lack of desire to reconcile.
Trump stated, “I won an election in a landslide. I gave him a lot of breaks… I have no intention of speaking to him.” He specifically warned Musk of “serious consequences” should he decide to support Democratic candidates in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. Although Trump did not detail what those consequences might entail, he hinted at the potential impact on Musk’s business interests, particularly regarding his federal contracts.
The rift began earlier in the week when Musk publicly criticised a significant spending bill linked to Trump, labelling it a “disgusting abomination” that would worsen the federal deficit. This criticism led to a heated exchange on social media, with both men firing off personal attacks. Tensions escalated when Musk insinuated that Trump should be impeached and made unfounded claims about Trump being mentioned in the “Epstein file.”
Vice President JD Vance, trying to downplay the feud, claimed Musk was making a “huge mistake” in targeting Trump. He remarked on Musk’s emotional nature and expressed hope for a possible reconciliation in the future, although he acknowledged that the current situation seems dire.
As a major government contractor, Musk’s businesses are vulnerable to potential reprisals. Trump has indicated that cutting Musk’s contracts could be an effective means of retribution, especially in response to Musk’s shifting political allegiances and critiques of Trump’s initiatives.
Vance defended Musk’s entrepreneurial spirit and critiqued Musk’s public remarks, asserting that they were unhelpful and unfounded. He also clarified that the controversial bill in question aimed to extend Trump’s past tax cuts rather than purely focusing on government spending cuts.
Overall, the unfolding drama between Trump and Musk marks a substantial shift from their once-close alliance, inviting significant speculation about the future of both men’s political paths and the impact on their respective enterprises.