Trump V Musk: 10 ways they can further hurt each other

If they don’t broker peace deal, theirs quibble could get messier and more expensive for both of them

The falling-out between the world’ richest person and the president of the world’s largest economy will have Consequences – for both of them.

 

Elon Musk, as the boss of multiple companies including Tesla, and Donald Trump, who has benefited from Musk’s support in his journey to the White House, have had a mutually beneficial relationship up until now.

Here are 10 ways in which Musk and Trump could hurt each other if they fail to broker a peace deal.

What Trump could do to Musk

Cancel government contracts related to Musk’s businesses

Responding to Musk’s criticism of his tax and spending bill, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Thursday that cancelling the billionaire’s government contracts would be a straightforward way to save money.

*The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts. I was always surprised that Biden didn’t do it!” Trump said.

In 2024, the New York Times reported that Musk’s companies – which include electric vehicle maker Tesla and rocket company SpaceX – have over the past year been promised $3bn across nearly 100different contracts with 17 federal agencies.

Investigate Musk’s alleged drug use

The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal have made allegations of heavy drug use by Musk, raising questions about Nasa requirements for its contractors -including SpaceX – to maintain a drug-free workforce. The Times alleged that Musk has received advanced warning of the tests. SpaceX has been contacted for comment.

Responding to the Times allegations on last month, Musk wrote: “to be clear, I am NOT taking drugs!” In 2024 he said he sometimes used ketamine on a doctor’s prescription.

Challenge Musk’s immigration status Steve Bannon, a Trump ally and influential “alt-right” figure, told the Times on Thursday that Musk’s immigration status should beinv estigated.

«They should initiate a formal investigation of his immigration status, because I am of the strong belief that he is an illegal alien, and he should be deported from the country immediately” Bannon said of South Africa-born Musk, who is a US citizen.

Use general presidential powers against Musk

When Trump was elected, observer spointed to the myriad ways in which a Musk-friendly White House

administration could benefit the financial interests of the world’s richest person. That benign environment, which includes awarding of government contracts and directing federal agencies giving Musk’s businesses an easier ride, could of course be turned hostile.

Richard Pierce, a law professor at George Washington University and a specialist in government regulation, told the Guardianat the time: “All federal regulators and prosecutors work for the president. He can tell them to do something or not to do something with the understanding that he will fire them if they disobey”

Ostracism Musk from the Maga movement

Trump, as the leader of the “Make America great again” vanguard, can close doors on Musk. The Republican Troy Nehls excoriated the billionaire on Thursday, telling him: You’ve lost your damn mind” Headed: “Enough is enough.”

Musk can handle such opprobrium, and, given his considerable wealth, he is an important source of funding for Republican politicians.

What Musk could do to Trump

Turn X against the White House

Musk used his X platform, and his more than 220 million followers on it, to rally support for Trump’s victory in the 2024. It also provided a platform for far-right views that helped publicize the Maga agenda.

Theoretically, Musk could at least use his Own X account to criticize Trump with as much regularity as he pumped the president’s policies (the Tesla Chief executive is a prolific user of his own platform).

However, this also depends on Musk’s influence with the US electorate. Five out of 10 US adults say they have unfavorable view of Musk, according to the Pew Research Center. But it should be noted that seven out of 10 Republicans or Republican-leaning adults hold favorable view – he’s not going to sway many Democrats who dislike Trump anyway.