Trump Threatens Musk with “Very Serious Consequences” as Political Fallout Deepens

Trump’s NBC Interview Escalates the Feud

In a nationally televised interview with NBC News, President Donald Trump issued his strongest warning yet to Elon Musk. Asked about reports that Musk may financially support Democratic candidates in future elections, Trump declared: “If he does, he’ll have to pay the consequences for that.”

When pressed to clarify, Trump added, “He’ll have to pay very serious consequences if he does that.” Though he didn’t detail what those consequences might be, the tone made clear the relationship was broken beyond repair.

Asked whether he was open to reconciling with Musk, Trump bluntly replied, “No.” He accused Musk of being “very disrespectful,” stating: “You could not disrespect the office of the President.”

The Rise of a Political Alliance

The Trump-Musk relationship once stood as one of the most strategic partnerships in Republican politics. During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump frequently praised Musk, describing him as a “genius” and promising him a major role in his second administration. Musk did not appear on stage with Trump, but used his powerful social media platform, X, to boost Trump’s economic messaging and attack Biden-era policies.

Following Trump’s re-election, Musk was appointed to lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), tasked with streamlining federal bureaucracy and eliminating government waste. At the time, Trump told supporters: “Elon’s going to do things no one else can do—he’s going to transform the government.”

Musk’s support was equally emphatic. He posted to X: “Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House, and Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate.”

The Break: Big Bill, Bigger Consequences

Tensions emerged in spring 2025, when Trump introduced his sweeping fiscal proposal known as the “Big and Beautiful Bill.” The legislation sought to cut $1.6 trillion in federal spending while also slashing taxes across business sectors. Musk expressed concern that the bill would:

• Balloon the national debt (projected interest: $1.13 trillion in 2024)
• Trigger sharp tax increases for future generations
• Undermine vital technology and scientific investment

Behind the scenes, Musk warned administration officials of what he called “an economic time bomb.” When his internal objections were dismissed, he resigned from DOGE on June 3, 2025, citing “irreconcilable differences in fiscal direction.”

Social Media and Accusations

Just one day after resigning, Musk hinted at forming a new political party in a viral X poll. Trump initially responded by calling Musk “a patriot” during a rally, but quickly shifted his tone on June 5 by posting on Truth Social that Musk’s federal contracts would be “reviewed and likely eliminated.”

Musk retaliated swiftly by announcing that SpaceX would decommission its Dragon spacecraft. Then came the post that sparked national headlines: “@realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public.”

The “Epstein files” refer to sealed court records and travel logs related to Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier and convicted sex offender who was known for his connections to political and business elites. While Trump has previously acknowledged knowing Epstein socially, no criminal allegations have been officially tied to him. Musk’s claim remains unproven but added an explosive new dimension to the feud.

Fallout and Political Ramifications

Trump’s Truth Social account went dark following the accusation, triggering media speculation. While Republican leadership has remained largely silent, Democrats have seized the opportunity. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called it a “Republican civil war on full display.”

Democratic strategists are already crafting midterm messaging around Musk’s criticism of Republican fiscal policy. They aim to position Democrats as the more responsible economic stewards, citing Musk’s warnings as validation.

What Comes Next?

Trump says he has no plans to speak to Musk again. “I’m too busy doing other things,” he told NBC. Meanwhile, Musk continues to post regularly on X and has not backed down from his criticisms or accusations.

The fallout between Trump and Musk has become more than a personal feud—it now represents a deep ideological fracture within the Republican movement, one that could reshape the political landscape ahead of the 2026 midterms and beyond.