Trump Threatens Musk Over Funding Democratic Candidates

In a recent phone interview, President Donald Trump threatened serious repercussions for Elon Musk if Musk chooses to fund Democratic candidates running against Republicans. Trump’s comments indicate a hostile response to Musk’s criticisms of the GOP’s spending bill, where he stated, “If he does, he’ll have to pay the consequences for that,” without elaborating on what those consequences might entail.
Trump’s relationship with Musk appears irreparable, as he stated he has no desire to mend their public feud that escalated recently on social media. When questioned about their relationship, Trump bluntly replied, “No,” indicating a finality to their alliance. He also expressed disappointment in Musk’s criticisms of the Republican spending bill, insisting that Musk, who previously benefited from the president’s administration, knew well the bill’s details.
Musk’s public criticisms included calls for Trump’s impeachment and harsh words about the administration’s tariff policies, which he claims might lead to a recession. Trump retaliated by suggesting the termination of Musk’s government contracts and subsidies, implying that such power lies within his control, though he admitted he hadn’t given much thought to actually following through with that idea.
Despite the escalating tensions, Trump optimistically declared that the Republican Party is more unified than ever, framing Musk’s criticism as ultimately beneficial by drawing attention to the strengths of the spending bill. Trump’s remarks come amid calls from fellow Republicans, like Steve Bannon, to scrutinize Musk’s business dealings, which reflects an increasing alignment among party members against dissenting voices.
Vice President JD Vance weighed in on the feud, labeling Musk’s attacks as “nuclear” and suggesting that reconciliation may be difficult after such a public fallout. He cautioned Musk against criticizing Trump, emphasizing the bureaucratic frustrations often faced by business leaders in Washington.