President Donald Trump on June 7 warned that Elon Musk could face “serious consequences” if he decides to back Democratic political candidates in upcoming elections.
While Musk campaigned for Trump’s 2024 presidential run and was a key member in the Trump administration’s fight against fraud and waste, the two were involved in a public spat this week, apparently fueled by their disagreements over Trump’s budget priorities in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Trump said Musk will “have to pay very serious consequences if he does that.”
According to NBC News, the president did not specify the kind of consequences he was referring to.
Earlier this week, Trump alleged that Musk was embittered because the One Big Beautiful Bill Act would eliminate an electric vehicle tax credit program.
The CEO of Tesla, who has voiced concerns about the bill’s effect on the federal government’s budget deficit, denied that the proposed EV policy change was the reason for his disagreement with the legislative package.
On June 5, Trump also suggested the government could save money by eliminating subsidies and contracts it has with Musk’s various business ventures. In response, Musk threatened to start decommissioning his SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, which is used to support the International Space Station.
So far, Trump has repeatedly said he’s not focused on mending fences with Musk. Asked on June 6 whether he was interested in repairing the relationship, the president told reporters, “I’m really interested in the country solving problems, including problems in very faraway lands.”
Asked again whether he thought his relationship with Musk was over, Trump told NBC News, “I would assume so, yeah.”
The president said he doesn’t plan to speak with Musk, either.
“I’m too busy doing other things,” Trump said.
Trump further accused his former political ally of disrespecting the office of the president during their public spat.
