In a dramatic turn of events, Donald Trump and Elon Musk have ignited a fierce dispute, capturing global attention. This exchange of barbs has transformed into a significant clash, with both men wielding their influential platforms against one another.
Trump has threatened to disrupt Musk’s lucrative federal contracts, stating, “The easiest way to save billions is to terminate Elon’s governmental subsidies and contracts,” a move that could have severe implications for SpaceX. Tesla’s stock has already taken a hit, dropping by 14% amid this turmoil.
Not one to back down, Musk has called for Trump’s impeachment and dared him to cut funding for his ventures. He even hinted at decommissioning his Dragon spacecraft—critical for NASA operations—before retracting that statement after public backlash.
Musk’s resources are vast, potentially enabling him to support challengers within the Republican Party. He has suggested, without evidence, that Trump may be implicated in unverified Epstein-related documents. Trump’s press secretary offered only a mild rebuttal to Musk’s accusations, attributing his behaviour to discontent with Trump’s legislation.
As tensions rise, the political implications for both leaders are significant. Trump has attempted to mitigate the situation by refraining from addressing Musk publicly, though the animosity remains.
This feud, which began subtly last week, has rapidly evolved into an all-out confrontation. Musk’s dismissal of Trump’s influence in the last election further complicates the relationship, once characterised by collaboration, now direly strained.