BEDMINSTER, New Jersey, June 7 – President Donald Trump publicly stated that his relationship with tech magnate Elon Musk has come to an end, cautioning there could be “serious consequences” if Musk supports Democratic candidates running against Republican lawmakers who favor Trump’s ambitious tax and spending bill.
Speaking during a phone interview with NBC News on Saturday, Trump made it clear he had no interest in mending the once high-profile alliance with the CEO of Tesla (TSLA.O) and SpaceX. When asked directly whether the relationship with Musk was over, Trump said, “I would assume so, yeah.” He firmly added, “I have no intention of speaking to him.”
Despite this fallout, Trump dismissed any suggestion that his administration was contemplating the cancellation of federal contracts with Musk’s companies, such as Starlink or SpaceX. “That hasn’t crossed my mind,” he noted, hinting that the feud remains personal and not yet extended into official policy.
The breakdown in their relationship became evident earlier this week after Musk sharply criticized the president’s recently passed tax and spending bill, calling it a “disgusting abomination.” The controversial legislation passed the House narrowly last month and is currently under review in the Senate. Though Trump remains optimistic it will pass by Independence Day, opposition from influential figures like Musk could further complicate its journey.
Trump remains undeterred. “In fact, yeah, people that were, were going to vote for it are now enthusiastically going to vote for it, and we expect it to pass,” he asserted during the interview. The president insisted that the bill has strong Republican support, even though some conservative lawmakers have raised concerns about its projected impact on the federal deficit. Independent budget analysts estimate the legislation may boost the national debt by approximately $2.4 trillion over the next ten years, pushing it well past the current $36 trillion mark.
Musk’s criticisms have reportedly had an effect on Republican discussions in both chambers of Congress. Known for his vocal stances and unpredictable political leanings, Musk recently called for the creation of a new centrist political party to represent the “80% in the middle,” further signaling his dissatisfaction with the current two-party structure.
In recent days, Musk seemed to make efforts to ease the escalating tensions between him and Trump. Several social media posts, including one that supported the impeachment of President Trump, have been quietly deleted. In one deleted post, Musk responded “yes” to a user who claimed Trump should be impeached and Vice President JD Vance should replace him. Though Musk hasn’t publicly acknowledged the deletions, insiders close to the billionaire suggest he may be rethinking the escalation.
One of Musk’s former allies, Vice President JD Vance, spoke out about the situation on a podcast recorded Thursday and released Saturday. “I’ll always stand by the president, and I still hope Elon might return to the team at some point. Though with how extreme things have gotten, that might be out of reach now. But I hope it is,” Vance said. He emphasized Musk’s achievements in technology and entrepreneurship but acknowledged the severity of the rift.
Trump and Musk were previously seen together at public events, including Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) cards. While Trump was scheduled to attend another UFC fight night on Saturday in New Jersey, Musk was notably absent from the guest list—further underscoring the cooling of their alliance.
Elon Musk had been a crucial backer of Trump’s 2024 re-election campaign, contributing an estimated $300 million to support Republican candidates across various states. His financial efforts were largely credited with helping the GOP maintain its House majority and reclaim control of the Senate.
Just a week before this fallout, Trump had publicly praised Musk at the White House, crediting him with heading the Department of Government Efficiency. Musk was tapped by Trump to lead an initiative to reduce the federal workforce and cut government spending. Despite bold goals, Musk’s team managed to trim only a small fraction—less than half a percent—from federal expenditures. This performance drew criticism from some fiscal conservatives who had anticipated deeper cuts.
Though Trump declined to provide details about the potential “consequences” if Musk channels funds toward Democrats, his statement sent a clear message: political loyalty is not negotiable. “There will absolutely be serious repercussions,” Trump stated, offering no additional details.
At a time when political alliances are more transactional than ever, this high-profile split between two of the country’s most influential figures represents a significant shake-up. With Musk signaling a pivot toward political independence and Trump standing firm on loyalty, the implications for both the Republican Party and the broader 2026 midterm elections could be profound.
As of now, the White House has made no official comment on the situation, and Musk has remained silent following the deletion of his critical posts. Whether this standoff escalates or simmers down will likely depend on the political moves both men choose to make in the weeks ahead.
