President Trump on Thursday floated canceling government contracts with Elon Musk’s companies amid a feud that has exploded into full public view.
Trump, in a Truth Social post, said the tech billionaire had been “wearing thin” and that the president had asked Musk to leave the administration. In taking away electric vehicle provisions that benefited the Tesla CEO’s company, Trump said Musk “just went crazy.”
“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!” Trump posted, referencing the repeal of a tax credit for electric vehicles that is part of a major reconciliation package.
In a subsequent post, Trump threatened to cancel government contracts with Musk’s companies that number in the billions or dollars.
“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.
Live updates: Trump, Musk feud blows wide open on social media
Musk’s company SpaceX has billions of dollars worth of contracts with the federal government, mostly with the Pentagon and NASA. He has other business interests with the government, particularly involving SpaceX’s Starlink satellite service.
The threat to cancel government contracts could be particularly damaging for Musk and a sign that the falling-out between Trump and Musk is only escalating.
After Musk fired off additional messages on social media, including alleging that Trump is named in files related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, Trump responded on Truth Social.
“I don’t mind Elon turning against me, but he should have done so months ago,” Trump posted, touting reconciliation package that contains numerous administration priorities, including an extension of tax cuts.
A White House spokesperson shared a social media post that praised Trump for taking “the high road” with his comment.
Trump told reporters in an Oval Office meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz earlier Thursday that he was “very surprised” and “very disappointed” in Musk, who spent millions of dollars to help Trump get elected and served in his administration for four months but has since mounted a campaign against the president’s signature policy bill.
“I’ve always liked Elon. And so I was very surprised. You saw the words he had for me, and he hasn’t said anything about me that’s bad. I’d rather have him criticize me than the bill. Because the bill is incredible,” Trump said during Thursday’s meeting with the German chancellor.
The president at one point likened Musk to the bevy of former administration officials from his first term who went on to become outspoken critics.
Musk responded on social media, claiming credit for Trump’s electoral victory last November.
“Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate,” Musk wrote in response to a video of Trump’s comments.
“Such ingratitude,” he added.
Musk officially left his government role last Friday after leading the Department of Government Efficiency and its efforts to slash government spending. Musk has since unloaded on a reconciliation package making its way through Congress for adding to the deficit.
This story was updated at 4:28 p.m.
