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Title: Tensions Rise Between Trump and Musk Amid Public Fallout
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Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and owner of X, stands alongside former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on October 5, 2024—the day Trump returned to the location of a July assassination attempt against him. (Image Source: Reuters)
- Trump dismisses the idea of reconnecting with Musk.
- He states, "I’m not even thinking about Elon."
- The White House confirms there are no plans for a call.
WASHINGTON: Former President Donald Trump recently stated that Elon Musk has "lost his mind," as their public disputes continue to escalate. Once seen as close allies, the relationship between these two influential figures has deteriorated dramatically after Musk criticized Trump’s substantial spending bill. In response, Trump has expressed disinterest in further communication with the billionaire.
This unexpected split has sent shockwaves through Washington, with tensions mounting rapidly and neither party showing signs of reconciliation. The fallout from this rift poses significant political and economic challenges for both men.
According to White House officials, Trump has abandoned thoughts of speaking with Musk and is even contemplating selling the red Tesla he purchased during their amicable times.
Trump has shifted his focus toward advancing his ambitious spending bill, a move that initially triggered Musk’s harsh critique. Despite being drawn into the conflict, the 78-year-old Trump couldn’t resist taking a shot at his former ally, saying, “You mean the man who has lost his mind?” during a phone call with ABC. He later added in a Fox News interview that Musk had “lost it” and remarked, “I’m not even thinking about Elon… The poor guy’s got a problem.”
Just last week, Trump had expressed warm wishes as Musk exited his role at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) after a brief four-month stint.
“Very Disappointed”
While signs of tension had been apparent, the speed with which their friendship fell apart has left many in Washington astounded. Musk labeled Trump’s spending bill an “abomination,” prompting Trump to express his disappointment in a passionate rant from the Oval Office.
Critical of Trump’s proposal—which will increase the U.S. deficit and potentially weaken healthcare for millions of low-income Americans—Musk escalated the conflict by making unfounded accusations against Trump, suggesting he had ties to the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
In retaliation, Trump utilized the weight of his office to threaten Musk, signaling that he could revoke the SpaceX CEO’s multi-billion-dollar contracts for rockets and satellites.
Despite this, Musk seemed to attempt reconciliation by retracting threats to halt his company’s vital Dragon spacecraft program, which is crucial for NASA’s missions to the International Space Station. Meanwhile, he also toned down his social media activity on the X platform.
The White House has dismissed any conjecture about a conversation between Trump and Musk. A senior official stated, “The president does not intend to speak to Musk today,” while another confirmed Musk’s request for a call.
Tesla’s Financial Woes
In the midst of this public feud, Tesla saw its stock dip by over 14% on Thursday, erasing approximately $100 billion from the company’s market value, though it saw a partial recovery on Friday. Trump is now contemplating whether to sell or gift the cherry-red Tesla S he acquired from Musk’s company back in March.
The vehicle remained parked on the White House grounds, and a senior official confirmed that Trump is indeed considering the options.
While Trump seemed to maintain an upper hand in this conflict, Musk still has significant influence, having contributed nearly $300 million to Trump’s 2024 campaign. This recent fallout may jeopardize Musk’s future support during the upcoming midterm elections, posing a dilemma for both men in navigating their strained relationship.
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