President Donald Trump has expressed his reluctance to engage in a conversation with Elon Musk, stating that the entrepreneur has “totally lost it” in the current public dispute.
Musk’s harsh criticism of Trump’s proposed “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a comprehensive tax and spending proposal that Musk characterized as a “disgusting abomination,” precipitated the dispute. The tension between the two high-profile figures was further exacerbated by Musk’s assertion that Trump would not have won reelection without his support.
Trump responded by dismissing Musk’s statements and declaring that he has no intention of meeting or engaging with him. He suggested that Musk’s conduct has become increasingly unpredictable and alluded at the possibility of a reevaluation of federal support and contracts granted to Musk’s companies, such as Tesla and SpaceX.
Trump’s posture has remained unwavering, despite the efforts of certain White House personnel to alleviate tensions. Markets have already been affected by the dispute, as Tesla’s stock experienced a substantial decline in value subsequent to Musk’s public statements.
The conflict represents a significant departure from a partnership that was previously strategic and underscores the potential for personal feuds between influential leaders to have far-reaching political and economic repercussions.