President Donald Trump has fired a sharp warning at billionaire Elon Musk, saying the Tesla and SpaceX CEO could face “serious consequences” if he throws his weight behind Democratic candidates in future elections.
In a phone interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker, Trump made it clear there’s no love lost between him and Musk. Once political allies, the two appear to have drifted into a cold war — with Trump hinting that Musk’s choices could carry political costs.
Asked directly if their relationship is over, Trump didn’t hesitate. “I would assume so, yeah,” he said. “I’m too busy doing other things. You know, I won an election in a landslide. I gave him a lot of breaks in my first administration, I saved his life, honestly. I have no intention of speaking to him.”
While Trump didn’t elaborate on what those “breaks” entailed, during his previous term, Musk benefited from policies that supported manufacturing, infrastructure, and space exploration — all crucial to his companies’ success.
“He’ll Have to Pay the Consequences”
The president’s most pointed remark came when asked about speculation that Musk may back Democratic candidates in the upcoming 2026 midterms.
“If he does, he’ll have to pay the consequences for that,” Trump said, though he didn’t specify what those consequences might be.
That line has triggered a wave of reactions across political circles. Given Musk’s deep ties to federal contracts and regulatory approvals, some saw the warning as political muscle-flexing from a sitting president.
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“He’s not just talking to Elon,” one Washington insider noted. “He’s sending a message to anyone in his orbit thinking of switching sides.”
Musk once served on Trump’s economic advisory councils, and their relationship — while complicated — was rooted in mutual pragmatism. Trump championed American innovation and business, and Musk embodied both.
But lately, Musk has shown signs of distancing himself from partisan politics. While he hasn’t endorsed anyone outright, his online activity and occasional critiques of conservative policies have raised eyebrows.
The idea that Musk might fund or support Democrats in 2026 appears to have struck a nerve with Trump.
“This isn’t just politics for Trump,” said political strategist Maria Wexler. “It’s about loyalty — and once he feels someone has crossed him, there’s rarely a path back.”
As of now, Musk has remained publicly silent on Trump’s remarks. But observers know that Musk rarely ignores a challenge and with his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), at his fingertips, a response may come soon, and likely on his own terms.
Whether the feud escalates or fizzles out, the tension between the two men highlights a bigger shift in American politics, where alliances can form and fracture in real time, and where power is no longer limited to elected office.
With Trump back in the White House and Musk holding sway in tech, media, and aerospace, this political rift is more than personal — it’s symbolic of the high-stakes power dynamics shaping the future of the U.S.
