Trash Talking: Why the Fight Between Trump and Musk is Harmful for Both
- 3 Min
Hostile exchanges between Trump and Musk undermines their credibility and fosters division, potentially to the detriment of both. - Trump and Musk's mud-slinging dispute is causing harm to both parties
Elon Musk, the wealthiest person in the world and CEO of an influential tech empire, might not make it to White House parties anytime soon. The heated spat with President Donald Trump has been dominating US headlines. If these two heavyweights don't make amends soon, their public squabble could cause significant damage to both names.
On the one hand, we have Trump - a president who's relentless in using the levers of power to attack his opponents. On the other hand, Musk - the richest man on the planet, whose businesses hold great significance for the US economy and the aerospace industry.
"It's unlike anything I've ever seen from figures of this stature," claims Chaim Siegel, chief analyst at New York-based financial services firm Elazar Advisors. The battle of titans, as US media dubs it, offers a high dose of entertainment. "Grab some popcorn," Siegel quips.
What's on the Line for Trump and Musk
Trump's circle fears that the chaotic break with Musk could harm the president's legacy and affect the Republican Party's performance in the 2026 midterm elections for Congress. Trump is the owner of X, the primary echo chamber of the MAGA movement (Make America Great Again, Make America great again). At the same time, the government's relationship with Silicon Valley leaders could be at risk.
Musk also faces perils. Trump suggested ending the lucrative subsidies and government contracts for the tech magnate, which could theoretically drive Tesla, Musk's faltering electric car company, into bankruptcy. Moreover, around $22 billion (approximately $19 billion) in public funds for Musk's space company SpaceX are at stake.
The catalyst for the feud was Musk's disappointment with Trump's proposed budget, which the Senate still needs to approve. The "grand, beautiful bill," as the president calls it, offers extended tax cuts for Trump's clientele, mainly the wealthy. Musk recently criticized these plans, claiming they would increase the nation's debt to previously unseen heights and "bankrupt America." Trump, in response, called Musk "crazy."
No Punch Pulled
The quarrel has once again exposed the fragility of the alliance between Trump's right-wing populist MAGA movement and the Silicon Valley elites who aided Trump's second term, often through financial support and podcasts. It's now a matter of allegiance: Team Trump or Team Musk.
The fight is being waged without mercy: Steve Bannon, Trump's former advisor, has already begun advocating for Musk's deportation. Additionally, unfounded allegations of drug abuse by Musk have resurfaced in US media. Musk even dared the unthinkable: he backed a call for an impeachment process against Trump from an X user.
Republican congressmen are becoming increasingly concerned and urging a truce between the two men. "I just hope it clears up soon, for the country's sake," stated Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House of Representatives, in an interview with CNBC.
Musk Considering a New Political Party
Trump's party is worried about its finances. Musk had joined the MAGA movement a year ago and helped it during the campaign by estimated contributions of $280 million. In return, Trump appointed him as a special advisor and mandated him to make significant cuts in government expenditures, which were criticized across party lines. Musk resigned from his advisory role at the end of May.
For the 2026 midterm elections to Congress, Musk has pledged another $100 million. It remains unclear whether this money will ever be disbursed.
With his powerful platform, Musk launched an unofficial vote of no confidence against Trump. "Is it time to start a new political party in America that truly represents the 80% in the middle?" he questioned his 220 million followers. The response from over 5.6 million participants was unequivocal: more than 80% voted yes.
- Donald Trump
- Elon Musk
- US President
- USA
Additional Insights:
- Losing the support of Musk and his followers could potentially affect the outcome of the 2026 midterm elections for Congress.
- The use of executive powers to target Musk could be perceived as an abuse of authority, leading to political backlash and potential investigations.
- The feud could lead to economic consequences for sectors reliant on government contracts or partnerships with Musk's companies.
- The conflict might jeopardize NASA's partnerships with SpaceX, impacting missions like the Mars Sample Return and Artemis program.
- The spat between the two powerhouses could further polarize the US political landscape and widen the divisions between Trump supporters and his detractors.
- The feud between Elon Musk, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, has been dominating general news, causing significant damage to both their reputations.
- Despite their contrasting roles, Trump, as the owner of X and a figure relentless in using power against opponents, and Musk, a tech mogul critical of the president's policy-and-legislation, find themselves at odds over war-and-conflicts, specifically Trump's proposed budget.
- The spat, referred to as a battle of titans, has resulted in entertainment for some, but it has also exposed the fragility of the alliance between Silicon Valley elites, like Musk, and the president's right-wing populist MAGA movement.
- In response to Musk's criticism of the proposed budget and calls for impeachment, Trump has suggested ending subsidies and government contracts for Musk's companies, including SpaceX, potentially leading to crime-and-justice issues such as bankruptcy.
- Amidst this squabble, Musk has recently voices his intention to form a new political party in the US, signaling a shift in the political landscape and potentially impacting celebrity endorsements and policy-and-legislation in the upcoming primary elections.
