BRIDGEWATER, N.J. (AP) — President Donald Trump has firmly declared that he will not mend his relationship with Elon Musk, stating on Saturday that he has no interest in reconciliation. Trump issued a stark warning, suggesting that his former ally, who has previously supported him financially, could face “serious consequences” if he decides to assist Democratic candidates in the upcoming elections.
During a phone interview with NBC's Kristen Welker, Trump confirmed, “I would assume so, yeah,” when asked if his relationship with Musk was permanently damaged. He elaborated, saying, “I’m too busy doing other things,” emphasizing his focus on other priorities and reflecting on his past support for Musk during his presidency. Trump also mentioned that he had provided Musk with significant breaks during his first term, implying a sense of betrayal over Musk’s recent criticisms.
The tension between the president and Musk escalated after Musk publicly criticized Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” which is currently under discussion in Congress. Musk termed the bill an “abomination” and warned it could worsen the federal deficit. The comments triggered a series of personal attacks between the two on social media, causing concern among Republican congressional leaders regarding the potential fallout.
In a bid to diminish the public perception of the feud, Vice President JD Vance discussed the situation in a separate interview, qualifying Musk’s actions as a “huge mistake” while suggesting that Musk’s frustrations stem from being an “emotional guy.” Vance expressed hope that Musk could eventually reconcile with Trump, although he acknowledged that the situation had escalated dramatically.
Other Republicans have also encouraged the two figures to resolve their differences. Musk’s barrage of social media posts criticizing Trump coincided with the president characterizing Musk as “disgruntled” and “CRAZY,” hinting at the potential repercussions for Musk’s multinational enterprises, especially considering their reliance on lucrative federal contracts.
The underlying cause of this rift seems to stem from Musk’s opposition to the tax cuts and spending bill associated with Trump’s administration. Musk has gone as far as to suggest that Trump should face impeachment and alleged, without proof, that Trump has connections to Jeffrey Epstein.
Vance defended Trump while criticizing Musk's claims, asserting that no wrongdoing occurred between Trump and Epstein. He labeled Musk an “incredible entrepreneur” and acknowledged the merits of Musk's initiatives aimed at reducing government spending, asserting that they had positively impacted the country. Vance also discussed the contentious spending bill which aims to extend the 2017 tax cuts from Trump's first term, despite its negative implications on public health coverage and the national deficit.
The ongoing public dispute was captured during Vance’s interview, which was taped in Nashville at a restaurant owned by country musician Kid Rock, a known Trump supporter. The conversation veered into more personal topics, with Vance joking about election night celebrations and sharing lighter moments with the comedian Theo Von, who hosted the interview.
Ultimately, it remains to be seen how this conflict will affect both high-profile figures as the political landscape evolves leading into the 2026 midterm elections, especially given Musk’s position and affiliations within the industry and Trump’s historical track record of addressing dissent. The future dynamics between Trump and Musk will be closely watched as they could have significant implications for their respective interests and alliances moving forward.
