Trump says he has no plans to speak to Musk as feud persists
Donald Trump says Elon Musk has "lost his mind" and dismisses peace offering
Trump Says He Has No Plans to Speak With Elon Musk as Feud Continues
WASHINGTON, June 6 (Reuters) – Former U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that he has no intention of speaking with Elon Musk, as tensions between the two high-profile figures remain unresolved amid a growing rift over policy and influence.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump addressed the ongoing friction, saying:
“I’m not thinking about Elon. I hope he does well with Tesla.”
The comments reflect a cooling of relations between Trump and Musk, who were once seen as aligned on business-friendly policies and shared cultural grievances. However, tensions have escalated in recent weeks, reportedly due to Musk’s public opposition to Trump’s proposed sweeping tax-cut bill, which Musk claims would disproportionately benefit “entrenched elites and legacy interests.”
While Trump offered a brief olive branch in wishing Musk well, he also signaled that scrutiny could be coming.
"We’ll take a look at everything,” Trump said when asked about Musk’s extensive business dealings with the federal government. “It’s a lot of money."
Musk’s companies, including Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink, have benefited from billions in federal contracts and subsidies in recent years—something critics and now, potentially, political opponents may use to increase oversight or reframe negotiations.
A Growing Rift
The fallout appears to stem not just from policy disagreements but also from diverging ambitions and power dynamics. Musk has increasingly leaned into political commentary, often drawing support from right-wing figures, while simultaneously pushing back on aspects of the GOP agenda that he views as anti-innovation or beholden to traditional lobbying interests.
Trump, meanwhile, remains focused on consolidating power ahead of the 2024 presidential election and has shown less tolerance for dissent, even from high-profile business allies.
While neither Trump nor Musk has entirely ruled out future communication, Friday’s remarks suggest that any reconciliation is unlikely in the near term.
Trump-Musk Rift Deepens Over GOP Tax Bill and Personal Barbs as Tesla Stock Rebounds
The once-close relationship between Donald Trump and Elon Musk has devolved into open hostility, with fresh developments highlighting just how far the rift has grown — and the high stakes involved.
According to a White House official, Trump is even considering ditching his red Tesla Model S, which he reportedly purchased in March and once proudly displayed on the White House lawn as a nod to American innovation and Musk’s electric vehicle empire. The official, speaking anonymously, said the move reflects Trump's growing frustration with Musk.
Meanwhile, Musk has ramped up criticism of Trump's signature Republican tax and spending bill, calling it fiscally irresponsible and politically damaging. On X, the social media platform he owns, Musk echoed concerns that the bill would add to the U.S. debt — now at $36.2 trillion — and alienate centrist voters.
In response to a post accusing Trump of retaliating against Musk's policy critiques with personal attacks, Musk simply replied:
“Exactly.”
He also floated the idea of a new centrist political party, writing that it's time to form a movement to “represent the 80% in the middle.”
Behind the Scenes: Tensions and Calculations
While Musk’s public stance remains combative, sources close to him suggest a potential thaw. According to one individual familiar with Musk’s inner circle, his anger is beginning to subside, and he may be open to mending fences with Trump, especially with the 2024 election looming and billions in federal contracts still in play.
The feud became public after a rare and dramatic back-and-forth earlier this week, in which Trump signaled that Musk’s federal contracts could be up for review.
“We’ll take a look at everything,” Trump said. “It’s a lot of money.”
Musk’s allies, for the most part, have remained silent. But one notable exception, investor James Fishback, publicly urged Musk to apologize.
“President Trump has shown grace and patience at a time when Elon’s behavior is disappointing and frankly downright disturbing,” Fishback stated.
Market Impact
Despite the drama, Tesla’s stock (TSLA.O) showed signs of stabilization on Friday, rising after suffering a historic 14% drop on Thursday — a loss equivalent to $150 billion in market value, the largest single-day drop in company history.
Whether this feud is a temporary political skirmish or the beginning of a permanent split between two of the most influential figures in modern America remains to be seen. But for now, the Trump-Musk alliance appears to be on ice, and the reverberations — political and financial — are still being felt.
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