President Donald Trump on Saturday made clear in an interview with NBC News that Elon Musk will face ‘very serious consequences’ if the tech billionaire starts to fund Democrats in the wake of the fallout between the two former allies.
Newsweek reached out to the White House and Musk on Saturday via email for comment.
The Context
The high-profile feud between the president and the former leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) began after Musk expressed criticism of Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
Musk has repeatedly criticized the bill, calling it “outrageous” and “pork-filled,” adding that it’s a “disgusting abomination.”
Trump initially avoided directly addressing Musk but waded into the battle on Thursday, calling his one-time close ally “crazy” and suggesting he has “Trump derangement syndrome.”
Since then, the feud has escalated, with Musk claiming Trump is named in the Epstein files on social media. Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, has called the CEO’s claim “an unfortunate episode.”
What To Know
Some have speculated the Musk could switch sides and start funding Democratic candidates as a way of getting back at Trump and Republicans, which the president has warned his former ally would be a bad idea.
“If he does, he’ll have to pay the consequences for that,” Trump told NBC News in a phone interview, but did not specify what actions he could take against Musk. “He’ll have to pay very serious consequences if he does that.”
When asked if he has any desire to repair the relationship between the pair, Trump simply said “No,” adding that he “would assume” that their relationship is over after the very public dispute.
The president also hit back, saying that Musk had been “wearing thin” due to the demands of his work with the DOGE.
Trump added that Musk had been “disrespectful to the office of the President” and that he was “too busy doing other things” with no intention of speaking with Musk.
“I think it’s a very bad thing, because he’s very disrespectful. You could not disrespect the office of the President,” Trump said.
Musk, as part of the war of words that erupted on Thursday, asked his followers on X if they thought that America needed a new, third party to rival the Democrats and Republicans, with over 80 percent of respondents saying “Yes.”
Fox News reported on Friday that Trump responded to Musk’s comments in a phone call with Fox News host Bret Baier, saying he’s not worried about the threat.
“Trump is not interested in talking to Elon,” Fox News host and former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said while summarizing the phone call. “Trump is not worried about threats of a third party….President Trump also pointed to his favorable polls and his strong support among Capitol Hill Republicans.”
Recent data from YouGov, conducted among 3,812 adults on June 6, reveal that among Republican voters’ 71 percent would choose Trump, while only six percent would opt for Musk. Another 12 percent would choose neither, and 11 percent were unsure.
What People Are Saying
Elon Musk on X, formerly Twitter, after posting a poll asking users if Americans were ready to create a new political party: “The people have spoken. A new political party is needed in America to represent the 80% in the middle! And exactly 80% of people agree.”
He added: “This is fate.”
White House press secretary Karolina Leavitt told Newsweek on Thursday: “This is an unfortunate episode from Elon, who is unhappy with the One Big Beautiful Bill because it does not include the policies he wanted. The President is focused on passing this historic piece of legislation and making our country great again.”
Trump posted to Truth Social on Thursday: “I don’t mind Elon turning against me, but he should have done so months ago. This is one of the Greatest Bills ever presented to Congress. It’s a Record Cut in Expenses, $1.6 Trillion Dollars, and the Biggest Tax Cut ever given. If this Bill doesn’t pass, there will be a 68% Tax Increase, and things far worse than that. I didn’t create this mess, I’m just here to FIX IT. This puts our Country on a Path of Greatness. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
He added: “Elon was ‘wearing thin,’ I asked him to leave, I took away his EV Mandate that forced everyone to buy Electric Cars that nobody else wanted (that he knew for months I was going to do!), and he just went CRAZY!”
What Happens Next
Trump has handed down a firm deadline to Senate Republicans to pass the “big, beautiful bill” and get it to his desk to sign by the 4th of July. (Newsweek)