A full-blown feud has erupted between former allies Donald Trump and Elon Musk, sending political and financial shockwaves through Washington and beyond. What began as policy disagreements has morphed into an all-out power struggle between the world’s most powerful politician and its richest man.
At the heart of the clash are government subsidies and contracts vital to Musk’s companies, particularly SpaceX. Trump recently threatened to slash federal funding to Musk’s ventures, claiming it would save “billions and billions” for taxpayers. The impact was immediate Tesla’s stock plummeted 14% following the remarks.
But Musk is not backing down. The tech billionaire responded by calling for Trump’s impeachment, downplaying the importance of subsidies, and claiming his priority is reducing the national debt. He went further, hinting at Trump’s potential links to unreleased Jeffrey Epstein files—an allegation that Trump’s team only weakly denied.
The rift comes just days after Musk’s departure from his special government role heading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a post he held for 130 days in Trump’s administration. Once hailed as a budget-slashing hero, Musk is now turning against the very government he helped streamline.
Their fallout couldn’t come at a more sensitive time. Trump is pushing a massive tax and spending bill, and Musk’s opposition could embolden Republicans who are already on the fence. With his immense financial resources and social media reach, Musk could fund insurgent candidates and sway the political tide.
Democrats, meanwhile, are watching the battle from the sidelines. While few are eager to embrace Musk, many are happy to let the two heavyweights duke it out, potentially weakening Trump’s grip on his party.
With threats, insults, and political consequences flying fast, this feud is unlikely to simmer down soon. As Musk put it, “Trump has 3.5 years left as president, but I will be around for 40-plus years.” In the high-stakes game of power and influence, this is a fight that may redefine Washington’s landscape for years to come.
