Trump and Musk’s Alliance Rockets to a Fiery End
WASHINGTON (AP) — What began as a high-flying alliance between former President Donald Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk has crashed spectacularly, marked by public insults and high-stakes threats. The feud erupted Thursday, following Musk’s criticisms of Trump’s spending bill, which he labeled a “disgusting abomination.”
During a White House meeting with Germany’s leader, Trump, expressing disappointment in Musk, hinted at cutting government contracts linked to Musk’s SpaceX and Starlink, suggesting it would save "billions" for taxpayers. Musk swiftly retaliated on social media, stating, "Go ahead, make my day."
Tensions escalated when Musk linked Trump to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, asserting that Trump was "in the Epstein files," which purportedly remain unreleased. The exchange saw Musk’s Tesla shares plummet more than 14%, wiping out approximately $150 billion from the company’s market value, and costing Musk about $20 billion in personal wealth.
Once deeply intertwined, Musk had previously backed Trump with substantial financial support and was often seen at his side, even purchasing a red Tesla as a show of support just a few months ago. Yet, the fallout appeared inevitable, with Musk accusing Trump of ingratitude, stating, “Without me, Trump would have lost the election.”
Amid this unfolding drama, White House aides monitored the spectacle, aware that Trump’s confrontations, though tumultuous, have often worked in his favor. As the two billionaires’ rift deepened, questions arose regarding the future of political alliances in a landscape that has become increasingly polarized. The abrupt end to their relationship has left many in Washington questioning the implications for both figures and their respective futures.
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