US President Donald Trump has confirmed that his relationship with tech billionaire Elon Musk is over, stating "No" when asked if he wished to mend the damaged ties between them in an interview with NBC News.
Background of the Feud
The comments come after a public feud between the two men, which began when Musk criticized Trump’s tax and spending bill, dubbed the "Big Beautiful Bill." This bill made its way through Congress despite opposition from some Republicans. Musk expressed concerns about the bill’s potential impact on national debt and government efficiency, labeling it a "Disgusting Abomination" on social media.
Trump’s Response
In retaliation, Trump called Musk "crazy" in a post on Truth Social and threatened to cut off contracts with Tesla, citing federal government contracts.
Vice-President JD Vance’s Remarks
Vice-President JD Vance weighed in on the situation, stating that Musk had gone too far and may never be welcomed back into the party fold. He remarked to podcaster Theo Von:
- "He went so nuclear."
- "I don’t know how you get back from this."
- "If we can’t even keep our own people together… then what do we expect? It just shows how weak our party is right now."
Vance also suggested that Republican infighting could aid Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden in winning re-election next year, stating, "Biden wins again — easy as pie — unless something changes dramatically within our party."
Ongoing Tensions
The feud between Trump and Musk has persisted for weeks, with both men exchanging barbs on social media. Their differences have been apparent since 2022 when they first met at Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, where they were photographed together laughing during dinner.
Despite their differences, many Republicans have rallied behind Trump, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who stated he would not vote for anyone running against him. Recent polls indicate that a majority of Republicans support Trump’s stance on the tax and spending bill.
Vance’s Concerns About Infighting
In an earlier interview, Vice-President JD Vance expressed that if Biden were to win re-election due to Republican infighting, it would be because of "losers." He elaborated:
- "I think there are going to be some losers out there who are going to make sure Joe Biden gets elected again."
- "And I’m not talking about Democrats; I’m talking about people like Elon Musk."
Musk’s Political Critique
Musk has been critical of both parties, but his attacks have been more focused on Democrats than Republicans. He recently stated that "Joe will lose badly" regarding Biden. However, his criticism of Republican candidates, such as Nikki Haley, has been less frequent. Haley announced her candidacy last week, vowing to run against incumbent President Donald Trump.
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