Trump-Musk Feud Erupts: From Allies to Adversaries
What began as a seemingly cordial alliance between former President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk has devolved into a bitter public feud, sending shockwaves through the business and political worlds.
The Honeymoon Phase
Initially, the relationship appeared promising.According to reports, the two men enjoyed a period of mutual admiration, symbolized by a key symbolism in gold presented to Mr. Musk at a White House press conference. At the time, Mr. Musk expressed his desire to remain Mr. Trump’s friend and advisor,
while Mr. Trump defended him against attacks, slander and lies.
The Turning Point: A Public Spat
the cordiality was short-lived. The relationship took a sharp turn when Mr. Trump publicly criticized mr. Musk, claiming his former protégé had gone crazy,
especially due to criticisms of the president’s mega budgetary bill.
Mr. Trump expressed his disappointment,stating he was
very disappointed with Elon,and threatened to suspendGovernment subsidies and contractsof SpaceX and tesla,believing that this is the simplest solution forSave billions in the budget [des États-Unis].
Musk’s Retaliation: Accusations and Threats
Mr. Musk swiftly retaliated, accusing Mr. Trump of being ungrateful and asserting that he would never have won the presidential election without his help. He further escalated the conflict by threatening to take his Dragon spaceship out of service.
Most explosively, Mr. Musk alluded to Mr.Trump’s alleged involvement in the Jeffrey Epstein case, stating:
It’s time to let go of a real big bomb: Donald Trump appears in epstein files.This is the real reason why they were not publicly revealed.
Elon Musk, via X
Mr. Musk provided no evidence to support this claim.
Market Impact: Tesla’s Stock Plummets
The public feud had immediate financial repercussions. Tesla’s stock experienced a notable drop, with a dizzying fall of 14.26 % in the space of a day,
resulting in a loss of more than $150 billion in market capitalization,according to BFM TV.
This decline pushed the American automotive company below the $1 trillion valuation mark, a symbolic threshold. This occurred amidst existing concerns about Tesla’s popularity in both the United States and Europe following Mr. Musk’s involvement with the Trump administration.
FAQ: Understanding the Trump-Musk Fallout
- Q: What sparked the feud?
A: Disagreements over Mr. Trump’s budgetary bill and Mr. Musk’s criticisms of the former president. - Q: What were the main accusations?
A: Mr. Trump accused Mr. Musk of being “crazy,” while Mr.Musk alluded to Mr.Trump’s involvement in the Jeffrey Epstein case. - Q: What was the financial impact?
A: Tesla’s stock price plummeted, resulting in a significant loss of market capitalization.
