Trump vs. Elon Musk: The Feud That’s Heating Up Washington and Social Media
The latest chapter in the long-running saga between former President Donald Trump and billionaire Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk just exploded again — and this time, it’s about a massive Republican spending bill that’s stirring up a political storm. What started as a bromance turned bitter rivalry has reached a new boiling point with Musk launching a full-on attack against GOP lawmakers and Trump firing back with some wild threats of his own.
If you thought politics and billionaires couldn’t get messier, buckle up — this one’s got everything from Twitter (or should I say X) feuds, talk of new political parties, and even a bizarre hint of deportation threats. Here’s the rundown on this electrifying drama.
The “Big, Beautiful Bill” That Sparked It All
As the Senate was gearing up for a final vote on what’s being dubbed Trump’s signature legislation — a massive spending package touted by Republicans as a win for the country — Elon Musk didn’t hold back. The Tesla CEO, known for his outspoken and sometimes controversial takes on social media, called out the bill as “fiscally irresponsible” and promised to back primary challengers against any Republican who voted for it.
On Monday, Musk posted on X (formerly Twitter), slamming GOP members who campaigned on cutting government spending but then voted to increase the national debt by what he called the biggest amount in history. “Every member of Congress who campaigned on reducing government spending and then immediately voted for the biggest debt increase in history should hang their head in shame!” Musk wrote. And he wasn’t just throwing shade — he promised those lawmakers would lose their primaries next year, “if it is the last thing I do on this Earth.”
That’s some serious political firepower.
But Musk didn’t stop there. He declared that if the bill passed, he would start a brand-new political party — called the America Party — aimed at giving people “a VOICE.” This was a clear sign that Musk is ready to shake up the political establishment, feeling that neither Republicans nor Democrats are doing right by the country.
Trump’s Fierce Counterattack
The very next day, Trump fired back with some of the sharpest and most dramatic rhetoric yet. On Truth Social, the social media platform Trump uses, he threatened to pull federal government contracts and subsidies from Musk’s companies, which include Tesla, SpaceX, and others.
“No more Rocket launches, Satellites, or Electric Car Production, and our Country would save a FORTUNE,” Trump wrote. “Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard, look at this? BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!”
For those scratching their heads, “DOGE” here is a nod to the meme cryptocurrency Dogecoin — which Musk famously champions and Trump cryptically referenced as some kind of watchdog or weapon. Then, during a Tuesday morning press briefing, Trump went even further, joking (or not?) about deporting Musk, who was born in South Africa.
“We might have to put DOGE on Elon. You know what DOGE is? DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon,” Trump said with a grin that left reporters baffled.
What’s Really Behind Musk’s Opposition?
Trump claims Musk is “very upset” because the bill cuts federal subsidies for electric vehicles — a big deal for Tesla. But Musk has repeatedly said his beef is not about Tesla’s subsidies specifically; rather, it’s the overall size and cost of the legislation that he opposes.
This is a key point because it signals Musk’s concern isn’t just about his business interests, but the broader fiscal direction of the country. Musk’s opposition to the bill highlights a tension within the Republican Party itself — between those who want to maintain or even expand government spending and those who want to aggressively cut it.
The Drama Escalates: Threats, Tweets, and Market Moves
The tension spilled over into the stock market. Tesla shares dipped during morning trading right after the fiery exchange between Trump and Musk, as investors watched the drama unfold.
In the midst of Trump’s threats and insults, Musk posted a tantalizing but calm response: “So tempting to escalate this. So, so tempting. But I will refrain for now.” Talk about keeping your poker face while holding a royal flush.
This back-and-forth is just the latest twist in what has been a tumultuous and public relationship between two of the most influential — and controversial — figures in American politics and business.
From Bromance to Breakdown
It wasn’t always this hostile. Back when Trump was president, Musk played a key role, spending roughly $300 million to support Trump’s 2016 campaign and even leading the Department of Government Efficiency, focusing on cost-cutting.
But things started to change when Musk stepped down from his role overseeing Trump’s "Department of Government Efficiency" in late May. Since then, he has been openly critical of Trump and the administration’s policies, especially their approach to spending and trade.
The feud took a personal turn in early June when Musk suggested Trump should be impeached, warned that Trump’s tariffs might push the economy into a recession, and even connected the former president to the infamous convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein — a serious accusation that only fueled the fire.
In response, Trump lashed out publicly, accusing Musk of having “Trump derangement syndrome” and calling him “crazy.” Since that verbal explosion, the two have kept mostly quiet, until now.
Political Power Plays: Primary Battles on the Horizon
Musk isn’t just talking — he’s putting his money and influence behind Republicans who defy Trump. For example, he’s thrown support behind Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, a GOP lawmaker who angered Trump by voting against the spending bill.
Unsurprisingly, Trump’s team is reportedly considering backing a primary challenger to Massie, which sets up a fascinating showdown between the Musk-backed rebels and the Trump loyalists.
What to Watch Next?
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Musk’s America Party: If Musk actually follows through on launching his new political party, it could shake up the traditional two-party system. Will it attract voters fed up with both Republicans and Democrats? Time will tell.
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Trump’s Federal Levers: Will Trump really follow through on pulling federal contracts and subsidies from Musk’s companies? If so, it could have significant economic consequences and might even trigger legal battles.
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Primary Showdowns: The next election cycle could see a real war between Trump-backed candidates and Musk-supported insurgents, particularly in GOP primaries. That alone will be something political watchers won’t want to miss.
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Social Media Warfare: With both men heavily relying on platforms like X and Truth Social to fire off their latest shots, expect this feud to keep lighting up timelines with spicy, often outrageous commentary.
The Bottom Line
This Trump-Musk clash is more than just a celebrity feud — it’s a reflection of the deep divisions in American politics today. From big government spending battles to personal insults and political intrigue, this saga highlights how business moguls and politicians are reshaping the political landscape in unpredictable ways.
Whether you’re a fan of Musk’s vision for a more fiscally responsible America, a supporter of Trump’s agenda, or just here for the drama, one thing’s for sure: this fight is far from over.
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