By F. Dayo Olusola | M10News | June 7, 2025
US President Donald Trump has issued a sharp warning to billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, suggesting the SpaceX and Tesla boss could face “very serious consequences” if he begins supporting Democratic candidates ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The remarks came during an interview with NBC News’ Meet the Press on Saturday, amid escalating tensions between the two high-profile figures who were once seen as political allies.
Trump, who is expected to sign off on a major Republican-led spending bill, suggested Musk’s potential political shift could come at a cost.
“If he does, he’ll have to pay the consequences for that,” Trump said during the segment. “Very serious consequences.”
The warning followed a week-long online tirade by Musk, who criticised the GOP-backed spending package as fiscally reckless.
He alleged that the bill would balloon the national deficit and called it a betrayal of conservative economic values.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Musk claimed partial credit for Trump’s return to the White House in the 2024 election, saying, “Without my money, you’re not sitting in the Oval Office.” He also asserted that his financial backing helped Republicans secure a 53–47 Senate majority and retain control of the House.
Federal Election Commission (FEC) data shows Musk donated more than $250 million to Republican campaigns in the last election cycle, making him one of the party’s most influential financial supporters.
However, recent comments suggest Musk may be reconsidering that alignment. In one post, he warned that the GOP is becoming “addicted to spending,” and hinted that his future support may not be confined to one party. “If the GOP keeps pushing financial insanity, I’ll look elsewhere,” he wrote.
“I’m not loyal to a party,” he added in a follow-up post. “I support competence, science, and responsible governance — wherever that shows up.”
Trump and Musk had previously shared a relatively warm public relationship. Trump once described Musk as “a genius innovator” and floated the idea of involving him in an advisory role during a second term. The two were often aligned on issues like space policy and deregulation.
But the public rift has now exposed deeper ideological differences, especially on fiscal priorities. Trump has thrown his weight behind a sweeping federal budget expansion, while Musk has championed austerity and warned of inflation and long-term debt risks.
When pressed further by NBC on whether Musk’s criticism was a concern, Trump downplayed it but reiterated his stance. “He can say whatever he likes. But there’s a line. If he crosses it, there will be consequences,” he said.
The fallout has sparked broader debate over the role of ultra-wealthy donors in American politics. Analysts say a split between Trump and Musk could fracture donor unity within the Republican Party, especially among Silicon Valley backers.
Dr. Lillian Chang, a political economist at George Washington University, told M10News: “Elon Musk isn’t just a donor — he’s a cultural influencer. If he distances himself from Trump, that may embolden other tech leaders to reassess their political engagement.”
Musk has yet to respond directly to Trump’s comments but posted a cryptic message shortly afterwards: “All empires fall from within.” The post drew speculation that the billionaire could be preparing to back independent or centrist candidates in 2026 and beyond.
For now, Trump remains focused on consolidating support behind the spending bill, while Musk appears to be recalibrating his political positioning. What was once a mutually beneficial alliance now appears to be on a collision course.
Sources:
– NBC News, Meet the Press, June 2025
– Elon Musk (@elonmusk) via X posts, June 3–6, 2025
– Federal Election Commission (FEC), 2024 Campaign Contributions
– Interview with Dr. Lillian Chang, George Washington University, June 2025
Published by: https://m10news.com
By: F. Dayo Olusola
Category: US News | Politics
