Washington DC – A dramatic rift has emerged between two of America’s most influential figures: former President Donald Trump and Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. In a recent phone interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker, Trump made clear he has no intention of reconciling with Musk—and even went so far as to issue a veiled threat.
When asked if his relationship with Musk was officially over, Trump replied, “I think so, yes,” adding, “I’m too busy doing other things.”
Trump, who previously counted Musk as a political donor and granted him significant regulatory flexibility during his first term, is now positioning himself in opposition. “I gave him a lot of leeway, saved his life during my first administration. I have no intention of speaking to him,” Trump said bluntly.
The former president didn’t specify what kind of consequences Musk would face should he support Democratic candidates in the 2026 midterms. However, observers note that Musk’s business empire holds lucrative federal contracts, making his companies particularly vulnerable to political retaliation.
Trump has already hinted at the possibility of cutting those contracts, describing such a move as an easy way to “save money.”
The fallout began last week after Musk publicly condemned Trump’s delayed “big beautiful bill,” calling it a “disgusting abomination” and warning of its effect on the federal deficit. Tensions quickly escalated into personal attacks on social media, culminating in Musk suggesting Trump should be impeached. In a now-deleted post, Musk also linked Trump to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
As the conflict unfolds, Republican leaders and White House officials are treading carefully. The fracture between a former president and the world’s wealthiest entrepreneur exposes fault lines in the delicate balance between political power and tech-industry influence.
For elite watchers, the Trump–Musk feud isn’t just a spat—it’s a signal of shifting allegiances and rising independence among business titans. In an era when CEOs can sway elections and shape public discourse, the old rules of loyalty and alignment are being rewritten.
