Former President Donald Trump has indicated that his relationship with tech magnate Elon Musk is probably irreparable. During a phone interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker, Trump said he has no use for making up with Musk, threatening “serious consequences” if Musk backs Democrats in future elections.
“I think it’s over,” Trump declared of their formerly close relationship. “I don’t want to talk to him. I gave him breaks, saved his company. That’s enough.” Trump also suggested that Musk’s firms Tesla, SpaceX, and Starlink might retaliate against themselves through reliance on federal contracts.
The feud escalated after Musk condemned Trump’s big tax and spending bill as a “disgusting abomination” that would explode the federal deficit. Their argument degenerated into an ugly Twitter exchange of personal attacks.
Vice President JD Vance toned down the feud, calling Musk “emotional” and implying Trump has restrained himself. “Elon’s gone nuclear, but maybe he’ll come back around,” Vance said in an interview with comedian Theo Von. But he added Trump being attacked was a “huge mistake.”
Musk had also claimed that Trump was holding back records in connection to Jeffrey Epstein, implying possible wrongdoing something Vance resolutely rejected as “insane” and “unhelpful.” Musk seemingly erased some of his incendiary tweets by Saturday.
Despite rising tensions, Vance hailed Musk as a brilliant entrepreneur and came to Trump’s defense over his bill to extend 2017 tax cuts but has been criticized for possibly leaving millions without insurance and adding $2.4 trillion to the deficit in a decade.
The backlash shows how there has been a significant falling out between two of the most powerful figures in the GOP, with ramifications for the party’s internal politics in the run-up to 2026 midterms.
