Trump says relationship with Musk likely over, warns against funding Democrats

US President Donald Trump warned of “serious consequences” if Elon Musk goes ahead with plans to fund Democratic candidates running against Republicans who support Trump’s sweeping tax-cut bill.

By: Express Web Desk
Updated: June 7, 2025 11:19 PM IST

3 min read

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters on board Air Force One on its way from Joint Base Andrews, Md., to Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, N.J., Friday, June 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

US President Donald Trump said Saturday that his relationship with billionaire Elon Musk is likely over, telling NBC News, “I would assume so, yeah,” when asked directly about the fallout.

In the telephonic interview, Trump also warned of “serious consequences” if Musk goes ahead with plans to fund Democratic candidates running against Republicans who support Trump’s sweeping tax-cut bill.

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However, Trump declined to elaborate on what those consequences might be. He also said he had not had discussions about whether Musk should be investigated, stating: “I have not had discussions about that.”

The comments mark a sharp turn in what was once considered a powerful alliance between the President and the Tesla and SpaceX chief, now fractured by rifts.

Unlike the last nine months, during which, Trump and Musk were inseparable and praised each other highly, the last week has been turbulent, and the Thursday in particular, explosive.

At a White House press briefing on Thursday, Trump took aim at Musk, voicing support for a bill that could deal a serious blow to electric vehicle makers like Tesla. The move was widely seen as a direct hit.

Also read | After the Trump-Musk break-up: five takeaways

“Elon and I had a great relationship. I don’t know if we will any more,” Trump told reporters. He then added with a hint of foreboding, “He hasn’t said bad about me personally, but I’m sure that’ll be next.”

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Musk didn’t wait. “Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate…Such ingratitude,” he posted in a blistering rebuttal.

He also floated the idea of launching a new political party that “actually represents the 80% in the middle.” Trump, for his part, hinted at retaliation by threatening to cancel Musk’s government contracts.

Responding to the allegations from Musk, Trump in a post on Truth Social wrote, “I don’t mind Elon turning against me, but he should have done so months ago.”

Musk on his part, however, deleted his controversial tweet claiming “Trump is in the Epstein files” on Saturday, signalling a possible attempt to dial down the tension.

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