Trump Says Relationship with Musk Likely Over, Warns Against Backing Democrats
U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that his relationship with tech billionaire Elon Musk is likely over, following a public and increasingly bitter fallout over the administration’s tax-cut and spending bill. In a candid interview with NBC News on Saturday, Trump addressed the deteriorating ties, confirming, “I would assume so, yeah,” when asked whether his alliance with Musk had ended.
The split marks a significant political rift, as Musk was previously seen as a close ally and influential supporter during Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. Musk had even been appointed head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), where he led efforts to downsize federal bureaucracies and slash spending across agencies.
The tension boiled over after Musk publicly criticized the GOP-led “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” — Trump’s flagship tax and spending reform package. In a series of scathing posts on X (formerly Twitter), Musk labeled the legislation a “disgusting abomination” and accused it of unfairly disadvantaging clean energy industries. He also warned that Trump’s escalating tariff policies could lead the nation into a recession.
The situation escalated further when Musk briefly posted — then deleted — a message supporting Trump’s impeachment and referencing Trump’s past connections with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, which the president dismissed as “old news.”
Trump, visibly angered by the betrayal, fired back during the NBC interview. “If he [Musk] funds Democrats who are trying to destroy this bill, there will be serious consequences,” he warned. While he did not elaborate on what those consequences might be, the threat was unmistakable.
“He’s being disrespectful to the office of the President,” Trump added. “I’m disappointed, especially considering all we achieved together. But he’s made his choice.”
While Musk has not formally responded to Trump’s latest comments, the billionaire’s recent online activity signals a sharp political shift. His criticisms have rallied Democratic leaders who oppose the bill and are now citing Musk’s statements to challenge the legislation’s economic logic.
Despite the controversy, Trump remained confident that the bill will pass before the July 4 deadline. “The Republican Party has never been more united,” he said. “If anything, Elon’s attacks have only solidified support.”
There are also growing whispers within Trump’s circle about potentially retaliating against Musk’s business interests. While Trump denied immediate plans to cancel any federal contracts with Musk’s companies — particularly SpaceX — he did not rule it out entirely. “I haven’t thought about that,” he said. “But people are talking.”
Allies like Steve Bannon have reportedly urged the administration to investigate Musk’s business practices and federal dealings. However, Trump claimed that he’s “not considering that at the moment.”
In a parting shot, Trump seemed to mock Musk’s emotional state: “I think it’s a shame he’s so depressed and heartbroken,” he said. “But in a way, Elon helped highlight how good this bill really is. He’s just upset he’s not part of it anymore.”
The unraveling of the Trump-Musk relationship underscores the high stakes and personal politics shaping Washington’s legislative agenda — and signals that even the most powerful alliances can dissolve under pressure.
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