When the two most prominent figures in the world public sphere – O and – come into a frontal conflict, the result is deafening, with implications already disturbing their political and business landscape.
Trump threatened Musk’s multiple business agreements with the federal government, which are the backbone of the SpaceX program.
“The easiest way to save billions in the budget is to terminate Elon’s state subsidies and contracts,” he wrote in a threatening tone on his platform, Truth Social.
If Trump turns the state machine against Musk, the billionaire will feel the blow. Indeed, Tesla’s share slid 14% on Thursday.
However, it is not one -sided attack. After this “shot”, Musk called on Trump’s referral, challenged him to cut funding to his companies, and replied that he was speeding up with the withdrawal of the Dragon spacecraft, which NASA depends on the transport of American astronauts and cargo to the International Station.
Musk has almost unlimited resources to pay back – including the ability to fund candidates for Republicans in the upcoming elections. Late on Thursday afternoon, he said he was throwing the “big bomb” – implying, however, that Trump was involved in anecdotal records associated with convicted Jeffrey Estine.
Trump’s spokesman, Carolin Levit, was suffering from a rather lukewarm answer: “This is an unfortunate outburst of Elon, who is unhappy because the big, beautiful bill does not include the policies he wanted.”
Musk may not win over the entire Trump government, but it can bring him a heavy political – and personal – cost. Perhaps this is why Trump appeared at the end of the day to lower the tones, avoiding referring to Musk during his appearance at a White House event for the police, while posting on Truth Social that he had no problem turning against Musk, but he would have preferred him.
However, Thursday’s tension will hardly get out of it.
The timing of the confrontation
The confrontation began in mild tones last week, began escalating on Wednesday and ended in a frontal conflict on Thursday afternoon in the Oval Office. The German Chancellor Friedrich Mertz – who visited the president – watched awkwardly, while Trump looked like a … in love who experienced rejection.
He was surprised at Musk’s criticism in his bill. He rejected the view that without the hundreds of millions made by Musk, he would not have won the election. And he argued that Musk changed his attitude because Tesla was affected by the efforts of the Republicans to abolish tax incentives for electric vehicles.
Musk reacted through his platform, X (formerly Twitter), with an ironic and distant comment to his 220 million followers: “Whatever”. He said that the subsidies do not care, but the reduction of national debt, which considers an existential threat to the country. He even argued that the Democrats would win the elections anyway without his help. “So much unmistakable,” he replied to Trump.
He then launched a storm of attacks and the rupture became apparent.
A strange alliance that did not last
Musk and Trump had formed a strong – as an unlikely – alliance, culminating in the technological tycoon to play an important role in the government plan. Musk’s “Ministry of Government Efficiency” (also known as Doge) was at the center of the first 100 days of Trump’s rule, as it has abolished services and layoffs of thousands of employees.
However, rumors of when – and how – the rupture will come between them have not been late.
For quite some time, these forecasts were excessive. Trump supported Musk even when his popularity was falling. Every time he seemed to be a rupture, Musk appeared again – in the Oval Office, the cabinet or in the Air Force One.
When its 130 -day status has ended, its departure was accompanied by a warm climate, a golden symbolic “key” of the White House and hints that it could return.
Now, it is clear that this “invitation” was recalled – and the locks have changed.
“Elon and I had an excellent relationship,” Trump said on Thursday – with emphasis on the past.
What continuity?
Some analysts speculate that Trump’s surprise announcement on Wednesday on a new travel ban, additional sanctions on Harvard and a survey against Joe Biden were intended to turn the lights on the Musk attack elsewhere. The White House Staff and Republicans in Congress have shown to move carefully, avoiding further causing it.
Until Trump talked – and the papers were re -shared.
Now the question is where this conflict will end up. Republican MPs may find it difficult to support the Trump bill if Musk offers not only public support but also funding to the disagreement.
Trump has already threatened Musk’s state contracts, but he could also turn against his supporters within the government, or restore Biden’s investigations of his business.
Everything is open.
Democrats are watching
The Democrats are watching the margins, looking for the right answer. Few seem willing to welcome Musk again – a former party donor – but the old saying is still valid: my enemy’s enemy is my friend.
“It’s a zero sum game,” Democratic General Liam Ker. “Whatever Musk does to the Democrats, it hurts the Republicans.”
For the time being, it seems that the Democrats are enjoying seeing the two men exchanging blows. And as this dispute continues, it will cover everything in the American political scene.
