Trump Steps into the UFC Ring Alone; No Musk in Sight
President participates in barroom brawl, conspicuously without Tesla's Musk in attendance. - U.S. President Attends Unsanctioned Martial Arts Event Absent Elon Musk
Take a wild guess who graced the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event in Newark, New Jersey on June 7! Drumroll please It's none other than our 78-year-old, larger-than-life former-reality-tv-star-turned-politician, Donald Trump. But, one notable face was missing – Elon Musk. After their recent dust-up, the President was left to cheer on the cage fighters solo.
Trump, the Ultimate Showman
Trump, like a seasoned cage fighter, strutted into the arena with cheering crowds, an Instagram-worthy spectacle captured by – you guessed it – Trump's own account. Accompanied by none other than Dana White, the CEO of the MMA organization and a Trump confidant, Trump's family was also in attendance, including daughter Ivanka and son Eric.
In a previous collaborative cage-side appearance in Miami, Trump and Musk sat alongside Musk's young son, X Æ A-Xii. This wasn't the only instance where the billionaire's parenting methods have faced scrutiny. In late May, Musk appeared at a press event sporting a black eye, claiming he'd invited his son to punch him during a playful sparring session. "I said, 'Come on, hit me in the face,' and he did," People magazine quoted him as saying. "I didn't feel much, but I guess it leaves bruises."
- Donald Trump
- Elon Musk
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Newark
- New Jersey
- Cage Fighters
The Waiting Game: The Fallout's Elephant in the Room
So, what happened between Trump and Musk to cause this rift? Here's the lowdown.
- Opposition to Budget Bill: Musk expressed discontent with Trump's budget bill, leading to a public disagreement. Musk, once a staunch Trump supporter, began criticizing the bill, currently under review in Congress[2][3].
- Musk's Claims and Accusations: Musk made eyebrow-raising claims about Trump's involvement in the Jeffrey Epstein case, suggesting that Trump's name appeared in Epstein's files. Musk hinted that this was the reason the files haven't been fully disclosed[2].
- Government Contracts Threat: In response, Trump threatened to cancel lucrative government contracts with Musk's companies, escalating the tension[2][3].
The Aftermath: Financial Impacts, Public Obsession, and No Apologies
The fallout between Trump and Musk has led to several significant outcomes:
- Stock Market Shake-Up: Tesla shares plummeted by 14% on the day the feud erupted, only to partially recover the next day. This economic tumult reflects potential risks to Musk's business interests due to the conflict[3].
- Media Madness: The feud sparked widespread media attention and public fascination, with jokes and memes abounding on social media. It has been likened to one of the most dramatic public breakups between influential figures[3].
- No Bridge Mending: Trump has flat-out stated he's not interested in reconciling with Musk as of yet[1][3]. Musk, at first open to reconciliation, has since let the died feelings lie[3].
- Personal and Political Implications: The feud illustrates the challenges of keeping alliances alive in high-profile political and business relationships. It also showcases Trump's readiness to respond aggressively to criticism, even from former buddies[1][2].
- Despite the absence of Elon Musk at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event, Donald Trump maintained his spotlight status, capturing attention with his eventual appearance and his intimate connection with the world of sports and entertainment.
- The tension between Donald Trump and Elon Musk didn't stem from a cage fight, but rather escalated due to political disagreements over budget bills, accusations regarding the Jeffrey Epstein case, and potential threats to cancel government contracts – a rivalry that continues to captivate the public and has sent economic waves throughout the stock market.
