President Donald Trump on Thursday attempted to brush off a very public and dramatic split with former ally and top donor Elon Musk, telling POLITICO, “Oh it’s okay,” when asked about the feud that has dominated headlines.
The falling-out between the two powerful figures erupted earlier in the day, after Trump slammed Musk during a televised Oval Office address, expressing disappointment over Musk’s criticism of a major spending bill currently before Congress. “I’m very disappointed,” Trump said, referring to the billionaire tech mogul who once played a key role in his campaign.
Musk, who contributed an estimated $300 million to Trump’s 2024 presidential bid, fired back on social media, claiming Trump would not have won re-election without his financial backing. The escalating war of words marks a stunning unraveling of a political alliance that once seemed unbreakable.
In response, Trump threatened to revoke federal contracts linked to Musk’s companies, including those tied to Tesla and a pivotal U.S. space program operated by SpaceX. The threat triggered immediate economic consequences, as Tesla shares took a sharp dive and Musk publicly vowed to withdraw from the national spaceship initiative.
Despite the tension, White House aides are reportedly working to de-escalate the situation. According to POLITICO, staff have scheduled a call with Musk for Friday in an effort to mend fences.
Still, Trump struck a defiant tone when speaking to POLITICO. “It’s going very well, never done better,” he said, touting his favorability ratings and refusing to dwell on the deteriorating relationship.
The high-profile spat could carry serious political and economic ramifications as both men wield considerable influence over American policy and industry.
Written By Rodney Mbua
