Former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a pointed warning to billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, cautioning him against supporting Democratic candidates in future elections. In a recent interview, Trump made it clear that any such move by Musk could lead to what he described as “very serious consequences,” although he did not elaborate on what those consequences might entail.
The relationship between Trump and Musk has deteriorated rapidly following Musk’s criticism of a Republican-backed federal budget proposal. Musk had publicly denounced the bill, calling it an “abomination.” This criticism reportedly angered Trump, who then suggested Musk had crossed a line and threatened potential repercussions, including the possible revocation of government contracts linked to Musk’s companies such as Tesla and SpaceX.
When asked if there was a possibility of reconciling with Musk, Trump replied firmly that he had no intention of repairing the relationship. “I don’t plan on speaking to him,” he said. “That’s over.”
In contrast, U.S. Vice President JD Vance has taken a more conciliatory tone. Speaking to reporters, Vance acknowledged that Musk’s remarks were unfortunate but suggested they were made in the heat of the moment. “He’s an emotional guy. I don’t think it was helpful, but we should try not to escalate things further,” Vance said.
According to Vance, Trump privately advised him to keep the tone diplomatic when addressing Musk in public, indicating a potential path for easing tensions in the future. Vance expressed hope that Musk might be welcomed back into the Republican fold, emphasizing that party unity is more important than personal disagreements.
The ongoing feud has sparked concern among Republican leaders, especially as it comes at a time when the party is trying to rally support for major legislative initiatives. Some observers have noted that the dispute has already caused ripples in financial markets, with Tesla shares dipping and the value of Dogecoin fluctuating following the exchange.
In a possible attempt to dial back tensions, Musk recently deleted a series of social media posts in which he had harshly criticized Trump, including posts referencing the former president’s association with Jeffrey Epstein. The deletions have been interpreted by some as a signal that Musk may be looking to move past the conflict.
As the situation continues to unfold, both political and business circles are watching closely to see whether the rift will deepen or give way to a renewed partnership between two of the most influential figures in American politics and industry.