"My Relationship With Elon Musk Is Over" - Trump Severs Ties with Elon Musk Amid Political Fallout Over Tax Bill

 

A long-simmering feud between former allies exploded into full public view on Saturday, as U.S. President Donald Trump announced the apparent end of his personal and political relationship with tech magnate Elon Musk. The announcement came during a telephone interview with NBC News, where Trump issued a stern warning to the billionaire entrepreneur over his support for Democratic candidates, while stopping short of outlining specific retaliatory measures.

The president’s comments followed a turbulent week marked by sharp exchanges and biting criticism between the two high-profile figures. At the center of the clash lies a sweeping tax and spending bill championed by Trump—a piece of legislation that Musk has publicly condemned in recent days.

Accusing Musk of undermining Republican unity at a critical juncture, Trump described the tech CEO’s opposition to the bill as a betrayal, particularly damaging given the razor-thin majorities the GOP holds in both chambers of Congress. Musk’s outspoken disapproval, reportedly calling the bill a “disgusting abomination,” has complicated Republican efforts to present a united front as the legislation makes its way through the Senate.

The president did not mince words when asked if he believed the relationship with Musk was salvageable. “I would assume so, yeah,” Trump responded flatly, confirming the rift was likely beyond repair. Pressed further on whether he would attempt to reconcile with the Tesla and SpaceX founder, Trump was unequivocal: “I have no intention of speaking to him.”

This break marks a significant shift in a relationship that once appeared cordial, even collaborative. Musk’s ventures—particularly SpaceX and its satellite-based StarLink internet service—have received substantial U.S. government contracts during Trump’s administration, a point that now looms large in light of the split.

Despite the acrimony, Trump made clear that he has not entertained the idea of cutting off those federal contracts. “I haven’t thought about that,” he admitted, leaving open the question of whether Musk’s business interests could come under scrutiny should political tensions continue to escalate.

Political insiders say the timing of the fallout couldn’t be worse for Republicans. The tax and spending bill—controversial even within party lines—barely scraped through the House of Representatives last month. Now, with the Senate taking it up, any fracture in party support could prove disastrous.

Musk, who has increasingly positioned himself as a libertarian-leaning independent, has not officially aligned with Democrats. Nevertheless, his criticism of Trump’s agenda and flirtations with center-left causes have irked conservative lawmakers and voters alike.

The brewing dispute first caught public attention earlier in the week when Musk lambasted the president’s bill on social media. That triggered a wave of responses from Trump supporters, culminating in direct verbal jabs from Trump himself. The drama quickly escalated into what observers are calling one of the most high-profile political-business fallouts in recent memory.

Political analysts suggest the clash reveals deeper fault lines within the Republican coalition. On one side stands Trump, advocating for an expansive tax-and-spend package he argues will revitalize key sectors and deliver on campaign promises. On the other is Musk, warning that the bill bloats the federal budget and stifles innovation with unnecessary regulation and bureaucracy.

Voters, meanwhile, appear divided. Some conservative voters say they feel betrayed by Musk’s stance, viewing his opposition as an affront to the movement that helped power both Trump’s rise and SpaceX’s federal funding. Others see the fallout as emblematic of broader dysfunction in Washington, where personal grudges and ideological purity tests seem to derail governance at every turn.

While Trump has hinted at “serious consequences” should Musk double down on his support for Democrats, he declined to specify what actions, if any, his administration might take. He also brushed aside questions about potential federal investigations into Musk or his companies, saying no such discussions have taken place “at this time.”

For now, the political drama appears far from over. As the Senate weighs possible amendments to the contentious bill, the spotlight remains fixed on whether Musk’s influence—and his apparent estrangement from the president—will shift the balance of power on Capitol Hill.

What’s certain is that the relationship between two of the most dominant figures in American public life has entered a new, hostile phase—one with potential implications far beyond a single piece of legislation.