The once-steady alliance between Elon Musk and Donald Trump has imploded into a bitter public feud, raising concerns about the future of Musk's ventures, including Tesla, SpaceX, and their dealings in India. The conflict, triggered by Musk's criticism of Trump's sweeping domestic policy package, has rapidly escalated into a series of threats and accusations exchanged on social media.
Trump, angered by Musk's denouncement of his "big, beautiful bill" that cuts taxes and slashes spending, threatened to terminate Musk's government subsidies and contracts, which are vital to SpaceX's operations. "The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon's Governmental Subsidies and Contracts," Trump menacingly posted on his social media platform. This direct attack on Musk's financial interests sent Tesla's stock price plummeting.
Musk retaliated fiercely, calling for Trump's impeachment and daring him to cut funding for his companies. He initially announced that SpaceX would decommission its Dragon spacecraft, a critical component of the American space program, potentially leaving the U.S. reliant on Russia for supplying the International Space Station. However, he later walked back this threat, seemingly heeding advice to de-escalate the situation.
The feud has significant implications for Musk's business dealings, particularly in India. Musk's companies, including Tesla and Starlink, have been making strides in the Indian market, aligning with India's tech and innovation goals. Starlink, Musk's satellite internet venture, recently signed deals with Indian telecom giants Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel to expand internet access, especially in rural areas. These partnerships are contingent upon regulatory approvals, which could be jeopardized by the ongoing conflict between Musk and Trump.
Tesla's long-awaited entry into India is also under a cloud of uncertainty. The company has plans to start selling cars in major Indian cities, but the political turmoil could create additional hurdles. Moreover, Musk's microblogging platform X, formerly Twitter, has been facing legal challenges in India, further complicating matters.
The Musk-Trump feud also carries broader implications for the political landscape. Musk's support was crucial to Trump's election victory in 2024, and his shift in stance could influence Republican chances in future elections. Musk has near limitless resources to respond, including by funding insurgent challengers to Republicans. The conflict has exposed deep divisions within the Republican party and highlighted the challenges of navigating the intersection of business, politics, and technology in the modern era.
While the long-term consequences of this feud remain to be seen, it is clear that the relationship between Musk and Trump has reached a breaking point. The clash between these two powerful figures has not only created a spectacle of online insults and accusations but also cast a shadow of uncertainty over Musk's business ventures, including Tesla, SpaceX, and their ambitious plans in India.
