President Donald Trump has issued a sharp warning to billionaire Elon Musk, cautioning that he will face “very serious consequences” if he starts financing Democratic candidates in future elections. The threat came during an interview with NBC News, where Trump made clear that their once-close relationship is effectively over.
Trump told NBC’s Kristen Welker, “I would assume so” when asked if their friendship was ended, adding, “I have no intention of speaking to him.” He declined to specify what the consequences might involve but hinted that government contracts—such as those with SpaceX or Starlink—could be at risk :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
The rupture follows Musk’s public criticism of the Republican “One Big Beautiful Bill” tax-and-spending package, which he labeled a “disgusting abomination.” The bill narrowly passed the House and is moving through the Senate, aiming for approval by July 4 :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
Musk also ignited further tensions by posting—then deleting—an allegation on X suggesting Trump was mentioned in the Jeffrey Epstein files, and briefly endorsing calls for impeachment. Trump dismissed these actions as “old news,” while Musk has since removed those posts :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
Latest developments:
• Musk has begun to delete his most aggressive X posts, signaling that he might be trying to dial back public tensions :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
• Vice President J.D. Vance and GOP leaders have urged the pair to reconcile, calling Musk’s actions “a mistake” and hoping he might rejoin the Republican fold :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
• Across the political spectrum, experts are warning that this feud highlights how large-scale political spending by billionaires like Musk enables outsized influence over U.S. democracy—raising concerns about unregulated money in politics :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
Is it time to create a new political party in America that actually represents the 80% in the middle? 🤔
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 6, 2025
What it means:
• Political rift deepens: Trump’s warning suggests a full break and potential leveraging of federal power against private sector actors.
• Musk’s next move: He’s signaled intentions to scale back political spending, but also hinted at founding a third party—the “America Party”.
• Bigger concern: The clash underscores the outsized role of billionaire money in U.S. policymaking and democratic processes.
Authorities you might want to read more from:
Reuters on Trump’s warning and Musk’s deleted posts; The Guardian on the broader implications for democracy; Business Insider for Musk’s changing stance and market effects.
Bottom line: The Trump‑Musk split has moved from bad blood to potential political and economic consequences. It reveals not only a personal falling out over policy and perception, but also a growing anxiety over how deep-pocketed individuals can influence democracy. With midterm elections ahead, the feud may be far from over—and the balance between power, profit, and politics is under unprecedented strain.