The public fallout between Donald Trump and Elon Musk on Thursday wasn’t just a spat between two powerful egos—it marked the rupture of an uneasy alliance that had quietly shaped parts of American politics and industry. With each man holding immense influence in his own domain, their feud could have wide-ranging consequences if it continues—or worse, escalates.
Here are eight ways these two powerhouses could hurt each other if things get uglier.
How Musk Could Hit Back at Trump
1. Turn His Billions Against Trump’s Agenda
Musk was once a financial backer of Trump’s return to power, pumping in over $250 million. But the tide has turned. He now calls Trump’s domestic agenda a “disgusting abomination” and is openly blasting Republican leaders on X, the platform he owns. And there’s still $100 million Musk pledged that could simply vanish—if not be redirected to opposition causes.
2. Use X to Undermine Trump’s Political Clout
Musk doesn’t need traditional campaign tools. His social media reach is massive. On Thursday, he launched a poll asking whether it was time to form a new political party representing “the 80% in the middle.” Millions responded, and most said yes. Then came a post agreeing with a call for Trump’s impeachment—fuel for political fire.
3. Stir Up Controversy Around Trump’s Past
Musk hinted darkly that Trump may have delayed the release of documents about Jeffrey Epstein because his name was in them. He didn’t provide evidence, but the insinuation was enough to light a firestorm, with House Democrats quickly pouncing.
4. Threaten Government Collaboration Through His Companies
Musk even claimed he’d “immediately” shut down SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft operations, which NASA relies on to ferry astronauts and cargo to the ISS. The move was so provocative, Trump ally Steve Bannon suggested the president should seize SpaceX “before midnight.”
How Trump Could Strike Back at Musk
1. Cut Federal Contracts
Trump wasted no time suggesting the U.S. government could cancel contracts with Musk’s companies—SpaceX, Tesla, and others—calling it a “budget win.” Those deals added up to $3 billion last year alone, across nearly 100 contracts.
2. Investigate Musk’s Citizenship and Drug Use
Bannon, acting as Trump’s attack dog, proposed digging into Musk’s immigration history, even suggesting he’s in the country illegally—despite Musk being a naturalized citizen. He also called for a probe into Musk’s alleged drug use and interest in military secrets involving China.
3. Revoke His Security Clearance
As SpaceX works on sensitive government missions, Musk has top-secret clearance. Trump could order that clearance suspended—or revoked entirely—effectively sidelining SpaceX from government projects and cutting Musk out of future classified briefings.
4. Use the Machinery of the Presidency
Trump could deploy the full weight of federal power—from executive orders to DOJ investigations. He might even go after Musk’s favored initiatives, like his proposed “Department of Government Efficiency,” or target causes close to Musk, such as his vocal support for white South Africans.
This battle isn’t just personal—it’s potentially seismic. If two of the most influential men in America keep trading blows, the aftershocks could be felt in tech, politics, space, and the global economy. And for now, neither seems ready to back down.
