Musk vs. Trump: Sharp words and threatening consequences in the dispute!

Musk vs. Trump: Sharp words and threatening consequences in the dispute!

Elon Musk and Donald Trump are in a public dispute that has become increasingly intense in recent days. The conflict originally began in connection with a tax and budget law that Trump pushed as president. Musk spoke negatively about the law, calling it an "abomination" as he fears it will result in rising debts and a higher budget deficit. As a result, Musk used Platform X to call on citizens to pressure MPs to vote against the law. Musk's criticism is particularly directed at the planned increase in the debt ceiling and inadequate spending cuts, which in his opinion are not enough to limit the deficit.

However, Trump didn't take long and threatened Musk that he would exclude his companies from government contracts, which prompted Musk to respond sharply. He countered that he would withhold the Dragon space capsules from NASA. These threats caused Tesla shares to fall more than 14 percent, alarming both investors and market watchers. Trump himself claimed that Musk asked him to withdraw from Washington, but Musk rejected this and instead pointed to Trump's business interests.

Older connections and new tensions

The once close relationship between Musk and Trump, seen as an alliance of convenience, has turned into a public conflict. Musk had previously provided over $250 million in support to Trump's campaign and claimed that without his financial help, Trump would have lost the election. This turnaround is particularly remarkable since Musk was until recently considered Trump's confidant. As a member of Trump's advisory team, Musk was even tasked with cutting government spending, but formally withdrew from political business at the end of May.

After Musk's withdrawal from Washington, tensions were further inflamed when he spread unsubstantiated allegations linking Trump's name to Jeffrey Epstein's documents. Trump initially did not comment on this specific allegation, but his generals in the Republican Party, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, said Trump was "not pleased" with Musk's behavior. Johnson also suggested that Musk's opposition to the bill may have self-serving motives, particularly because the bill would cut tax breaks for electric vehicles.

The budget plan, which was passed by a narrow majority in the House of Representatives in May, is facing opposition from several Republicans in the Senate. While Republicans hold a majority in both chambers, many are wondering whether the internal dispute between once-allies Musk and Trump will affect the future course of legislation.