In a remarkable breakdown of a once-powerful political and business relationship, former President Donald Trump has labeled Elon Musk “unreliable” and warned of federal scrutiny should the billionaire choose to support Democratic candidates. The rift comes after months of ideological tension and mounting frustration between the two polarizing figures.
Speaking at a press event in Florida, Trump delivered a sharp rebuke of Musk’s recent political activity, suggesting the Tesla and SpaceX CEO had become a “loose cannon” who is no longer a friend to conservative values. “You can’t trust someone who flips when it suits them. I made life very good for Elon. Very good. But he’s chosen a different path,” Trump said.
The fallout reportedly began behind closed doors when Musk voiced criticism of the administration’s new $2.4 trillion economic package, which includes major infrastructure initiatives, fossil fuel subsidies, and deep regulatory changes. Musk warned that the plan would “drag the economy backwards” and urged lawmakers to “stop the madness.”
Those comments enraged Trump, who saw them as a direct betrayal. “Elon was happy when we were helping his businesses thrive. Now he’s attacking a plan that would rebuild America?” Trump said during the same appearance. “That tells you everything.”
Sources close to the Trump campaign say the former president feels doubly betrayed because of Musk’s prior financial backing. In the 2024 cycle, Musk donated an estimated $300 million to Super PACs aligned with Trump’s campaign and conservative causes. That level of support now appears to be over, and Trump is making it clear that any future actions by Musk that benefit Democrats could come at a high cost.
According to senior officials, Trump and his advisers are exploring several avenues of potential legal and regulatory review of Musk’s companies. Although no formal investigations have been announced, the possibility of canceled government contracts for SpaceX or reduced tax incentives for Tesla has been floated in internal briefings.
White House insiders, however, caution that any retaliatory measures would likely face legal challenges. “You can’t just revoke contracts because of politics,” one legal adviser said. “But this is Trump we’re talking about. He’s not one to let something like precedent get in the way.”
Musk, for his part, has remained measured in public, though his online presence tells a different story. In a now-deleted tweet, he posted an edited photo of himself shaking hands with Trump under the caption: “All deals expire eventually.” He later replaced it with a more cryptic message: “You can’t innovate in a swamp.”
The tension between the two titans has already begun affecting market behavior. Shares of Tesla and other Musk-affiliated companies have dipped amid investor fears of political interference. Meanwhile, political analysts are watching closely to see whether Musk’s next move is to formally back moderate Democrats or even launch his own political venture.
Talk of a new centrist “America First Innovation Party,” allegedly being explored by Musk’s allies, has only added to speculation that his political ambitions may outgrow both major parties.
As the 2025 midterm season heats up, the Trump-Musk feud seems far from over. Both men command immense influence in their respective spheres—politics and technology—and their public split could have ripple effects across donor networks, campaign strategies, and policy discourse.
“The conservative movement has to decide whether it’s still about populism or whether it’s about progress,” said conservative commentator Laura Nielsen. “Trump and Musk are two different visions for the future. And now they’re clashing.”
Journalist Details
- Jitendra Kumar is an Indian journalist and social activist from Hathras in Uttar Pradesh is known as the senior journalist and founder of Xpert Times Network Private Limited.
Latest entries
