Trump Says He Wants Elon Musk to Thrive—But Their Feud Over Billions in Government Funding Continues
- What Did Trump Say About Elon Musk’s Companies?
- Why Is Trump Threatening to Cut Elon’s Funding?
- How Does the White House View Musk’s AI Projects?
- What’s at Stake in the Trump-Musk Feud?
- Could Musk’s Apology Save His Contracts?
- FAQs: Trump, Musk, and the Battle Over Billions
Former President Donald TRUMP has publicly stated he wants Elon Musk and his companies to succeed, yet their ongoing feud over federal subsidies and AI contracts reveals a deeper conflict. This article breaks down the latest developments, including Trump’s threats to cut funding, Musk’s apologies, and the White House’s ambiguous stance on AI partnerships. Dive into the financial and political drama between two of America’s most powerful figures.
What Did Trump Say About Elon Musk’s Companies?
In a recent post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “I want Elon and all businesses in our country to thrive like never before.” He added, “The better they do, the better the U.S. is, and that’s good for all of us.” This statement came after weeks of speculation about whether Trump WOULD target Musk’s government contracts, particularly those involving AI and defense.
Source: @realDonaldTrump (via Truth Social)
Why Is Trump Threatening to Cut Elon’s Funding?
Despite his supportive words, Trump previously suggested slashing Musk’s federal subsidies. In a June post, he claimed, “The easiest way to save billions in our budget is to end Elon’s government handouts.” Trump argued Musk receives more subsidies than “anyone in history” and even quipped that without government support, Musk might “shut down and MOVE back to South Africa.”
This backlash followed Musk’s criticism of Trump’s legislative agenda, which Musk later apologized for, admitting he “went too far.” Trump responded by saying he held “no hard feelings,” but the tension persisted.
How Does the White House View Musk’s AI Projects?
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt fueled the fire when asked if Trump supports federal agencies working with Musk’s AI ventures. “I don’t think so, no,” she replied, later adding she’d “talk to him about it” regarding a potential DOJ deal with Grok, XAI’s chatbot. The ambiguity highlights Musk’s shaky standing in Washington despite his companies’ critical roles in defense and infrastructure.
What’s at Stake in the Trump-Musk Feud?
Billions in federal funding hang in the balance. XAI recently secured a $200 million Pentagon contract to enhance AI systems, placing Musk alongside giants like Google and OpenAI. Yet, Trump’s targeting of Musk—while ignoring other AI firms—suggests personal and political motives. The feud underscores the high-stakes intersection of tech, finance, and government.
Could Musk’s Apology Save His Contracts?
Musk’s attempt to smooth things over may have bought time, but the WHITE House’s lukewarm support signals uncertainty. As one analyst noted, “In DC, apologies don’t erase policy disagreements.” The coming months will reveal whether Musk’s ventures retain their federal lifelines—or face the budgetary axe.
FAQs: Trump, Musk, and the Battle Over Billions
What sparked the feud between Trump and Musk?
The conflict escalated after Musk criticized Trump’s policies, prompting Trump to threaten cutting Musk’s subsidies. Musk later apologized, but tensions remain.
How much federal funding does Musk’s XAI receive?
XAI recently landed a $200 million Pentagon contract, though its future is now uncertain due to political friction.
Has Trump targeted other AI companies?
No. Despite similar deals with Google and OpenAI, Trump has singled out Musk, suggesting personal or strategic motives.
