Following a public feud this week, the president warned his one time political ally against supporting Democrats in upcoming elections.
President Donald Trump has warned that Elon Musk could face “serious consequences” if he decides to back Democratic political candidates in upcoming elections.
While Musk campaigned for Trump’s 2024 presidential run and was a key member in the Trump administration’s fight against fraud and waste, the two were involved in a public spat this week, apparently fueled by their disagreements over Trump’s budget priorities in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Following their falling out, Musk suggested backing competing political movements, including a new political party to challenge the current two-party system.
In a phone interview with NBC News on June 7, the president warned there would be repercussions if Musk backs Democratic candidates running against the Republican lawmakers who support his new budget bill.
Trump said Musk will “have to pay very serious consequences if he does that.”
According to NBC News, the president did not specify the kind of consequences he was referring to.
Earlier this week, Trump alleged that Musk was embittered because the One Big Beautiful Bill Act eliminated an electric vehicle tax credit program.
The CEO of Tesla, who has voiced concerns about the bill’s impact on the federal government’s budget deficit, denied that the proposed EV policy change was the reason for his disagreement with the legislative package.
On June 5, Trump also suggested the government could save money by eliminating subsidies and contracts it has with Musk’s various business ventures. In response, Musk threatened to start decommissioning his SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, which is used to support the International Space Station.
Musk, who is the SpaceX CEO, later walked back the threat to decommission the spacecraft.
This is a developing report and will be updated with additional details.
By Ryan Morgan
