WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump has downplayed a dramatic public rift with billionaire Elon Musk, despite escalating tensions that could have far-reaching political and economic consequences.
In an interview with POLITICO on Thursday, Trump appeared unfazed by the breakup with his former ally and top campaign donor, saying, “Oh, it’s okay,” when asked about the deteriorating relationship. “It’s going very well, never done better,” he added, shifting the focus to his favorability ratings.
The feud erupted earlier that day after Musk criticized Trump’s new federal spending bill, which the former president had described as “big” and “beautiful.” In response, Trump delivered a scathing rebuke from the Oval Office, expressing his “very disappointed” stance toward Musk and threatening to revoke his government contracts.
Once one of Trump’s strongest supporters — contributing an estimated $300 million to his 2024 re-election campaign — Musk fired back on social media, claiming Trump wouldn’t have secured victory without his backing.
The spat rattled markets, triggering a sharp decline in Tesla shares. Musk also declared his intention to pull out of a major U.S. spaceship program, adding a new layer of uncertainty to the dispute.
According to POLITICO, White House aides are working to mend the relationship, having scheduled a call with Musk on Friday in a bid to calm tensions.
The high-profile fallout between two of the most influential figures in politics and technology could reshape not only campaign dynamics but also key U.S. economic and aerospace initiatives.
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