In the world of high-stakes politics and business, few relationships have been as closely watched as the one between Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, and former President Donald Trump. Once allies and partners in political maneuvers, their bond has recently fractured over differing visions, particularly concerning government policies and financial issues.
Now, a new chapter in this drama has unfolded, with Musk reportedly planning to support the Democratic Party in the upcoming 2028 presidential election, a move that has triggered a swift and scathing response from Trump, who has warned Musk of "serious consequences" if he proceeds.
In a recent phone interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker, Trump revealed that he no longer has any interest in repairing his relationship with Musk. When asked if the bond between the two men was beyond repair, Trump was clear: "I would assume so, yeah."
The president went on to emphasize that his focus is on the broader issues of governance and public service. "I’m too busy doing other things. You know, I won an election in a landslide. I gave him a lot of breaks, long before this happened, I gave him breaks in my first administration, and saved his life in my first administration, I have no intention of speaking to him," Trump said, signaling that the personal and political rift between them has grown too wide to bridge.
The tensions between Musk and Trump began to surface publicly in the past few months, with Musk openly criticizing Trump’s proposed fiscal policies. The catalyst for their fallout was Musk’s vehement opposition to what he described as Trump’s "big beautiful bill," a massive spending proposal that would increase the federal deficit.
Musk denounced the bill as a "disgusting abomination," a statement that did not sit well with Trump, who felt personally attacked by Musk’s public remarks.
In response, Trump took to the Oval Office press conference to attack Musk, accusing him of being a hypocrite. "Elon knew the inner workings of this bill better than almost anyone sitting here," Trump commented. "He had no problem with it. All of a sudden, he had a problem, and he only developed the problem when he found out that we’re going to have to cut the [electric vehicle] mandate, because that’s billions and billions of dollars."
The back-and-forth escalated quickly, with Musk suggesting that Trump should be impeached, a drastic move for a former ally. Additionally, Musk controversially claimed without evidence that the U.S. government was withholding information about Trump’s connections to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
However, Musk deleted his posts related to Epstein the following morning, indicating that the fallout had prompted him to reconsider his approach.
Despite the withdrawal of his explosive claims, Musk’s tensions with Trump persisted. The public rift between them grew wider as both men exchanged increasingly personal attacks on social media. By June 2025, reports began circulating that Musk had made the decision to financially back Democratic candidates in the 2026 midterm elections, a move that set alarm bells ringing within Trump’s camp.
Speculation has it that Musk plans to support Democratic candidates in the upcoming 2028 presidential election, a significant departure from his previous relationship with Trump, where Musk was seen as a key benefactor to the Republican Party’s financial efforts.
Trump wasted no time in responding to these rumors. In his NBC interview, Trump bluntly warned Musk of the consequences of such a move. "If he does [back Democratic candidates], he’ll have to pay the consequences for that," Trump declared, though he stopped short of detailing the specific repercussions.
However, the suggestion that Musk would face retaliation was clear. As the owner of multiple companies that rely heavily on government contracts, Musk’s financial empire could face significant risks if Trump follows through on his threats. The president has already hinted that one of the easiest ways to "punish" Musk would be to cancel or reduce the lucrative federal contracts that support his ventures.
Musk’s shift toward the Democratic Party, if it materializes, could further strain the already fragile relationship between the billionaire entrepreneur and the Republican Party. While Trump’s comments made it clear that he has no interest in reconciliation, the broader implications for Musk’s business empire are significant. Musk’s companies, including Tesla,
SpaceX, and his other ventures, are deeply intertwined with government contracts. SpaceX, in particular, has secured billions of dollars in contracts with NASA and the U.S. military. A direct confrontation with Trump could lead to cuts in these contracts, leaving Musk in a precarious position.
In addition to the personal animus, the political implications of Musk’s financial support for the Democrats are profound. With his immense wealth and influence, Musk has the potential to sway elections, making his support a significant asset for any political party.
This has raised questions about the role of billionaires in shaping political outcomes and whether Musk’s newfound political alignment with the Democrats could influence the 2028 presidential race.
Vice President JD Vance, a close ally of Trump, weighed in on the situation, urging Musk to reconsider his stance. Vance suggested that Musk’s attacks on Trump were a "huge mistake" but also described Musk as "an emotional guy" who tends to act out when frustrated. Vance, who has been a vocal supporter of Trump’s policies, expressed hope that Musk would eventually "come back into the fold" and mend fences with the Republican Party.
However, Vance also acknowledged that Musk’s public actions might make reconciliation difficult.
In a somewhat curious twist, Vance defended the controversial bill that had sparked the initial fallout between Musk and Trump, calling it "a good bill," though not perfect. The bill aims to extend the 2017 tax cuts that Trump championed during his presidency while also addressing other fiscal concerns.
Vance, a staunch supporter of the tax cuts, sought to downplay Musk’s objections and frame the debate in more favorable terms for the Trump administration.
The conflict between Musk and Trump also has ramifications for the broader Republican Party. As the GOP seeks to regain power in the White House, Musk’s decision to support the Democrats could signal a broader shift in the political landscape. If other tech billionaires follow Musk’s lead, it could lead to a realignment of political forces, with Silicon Valley increasingly favoring the Democrats and alienating the Republican establishment.
The escalating feud between Trump and Musk also highlights the tension between business and politics, especially as both figures hold enormous influence in their respective domains. Trump, who is known for using his presidential powers to punish those who oppose him, has already hinted at using his position to go after Musk.
As the former president’s comments suggest, the next few years could see an intensification of this battle, with Musk’s business empire at risk of collateral damage.
In conclusion, Elon Musk’s plans to support the Democratic Party in the 2028 presidential election have opened a new chapter in his ongoing feud with Donald Trump. With both men now at odds, the future of their relationship seems uncertain, and the political and financial consequences of Musk’s support for the Democrats could reshape the political landscape.
As Trump issues threats over Musk’s betrayal, it remains to be seen how this high-profile battle will play out, and whether Musk’s political shift will have lasting repercussions for his business ventures.
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