Trump threatens Musk over potential support for democrats amid deteriorating relationship
Shreeaa Rathi | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jun 10, 2025, 17:43 IST
( Image credit : AP, TOIGLOBAL )
The dynamic between Donald Trump and Elon Musk has hit a rocky patch. Trump has issued stern warnings to Musk, hinting at dire consequences if he continues to back Democratic candidates. This tension escalated after Trump proposed slashing Musk's government subsidies.
Donald Trump and Elon Musk's relationship has deteriorated, leading to public threats from the president regarding Musk's potential support for Democratic candidates, raising concerns about the use of presidential power against a private citizen. Trump threatened to impose "very serious consequences" if Musk funded Democratic candidates, despite Musk being a significant Republican donor in the past. This situation unfolded after Trump suggested terminating Musk's governmental subsidies and contracts, adding a new dimension to their ongoing feud.
The conflict escalated when Kristen Welker of NBC News interviewed Trump, inquiring about the possibility of Musk funding Democratic candidates. Trump responded, “If he does, he’ll have to pay the consequences for that.”
Pressed for details as to what that might entail, the Republican added, “I’m not going to say, but he’ll have to pay very serious consequences if he does that.”
Trump's remarks followed an earlier suggestion to cut off Musk's government subsidies and contracts. This came after a period where Musk was a major financial backer of the Republican Party.
The Washington Post reported earlier this year that, based on the final available tally, the billionaire spent at least $288 million to help elect Trump and other Republican candidates in the 2024 cycle.
Musk's recent statements suggest a potential shift away from the Republican Party. He criticized the GOP’s domestic policy megabill — the inaptly named “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
Musk wrote, “In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people.”
This led to a related social media item in which Musk added, “A new political party is needed in America to represent the 80% in the middle! ... This is Fate.”
The possibility of Musk supporting a third party or Democratic candidates raises concerns for Trump, given Musk's previous financial contributions to the Republican Party. The president's warning to Musk has sparked debate about the appropriateness of a sitting president threatening a private citizen for political donations.
The conflict escalated when Kristen Welker of NBC News interviewed Trump, inquiring about the possibility of Musk funding Democratic candidates. Trump responded, “If he does, he’ll have to pay the consequences for that.”
Pressed for details as to what that might entail, the Republican added, “I’m not going to say, but he’ll have to pay very serious consequences if he does that.”
Trump's remarks followed an earlier suggestion to cut off Musk's government subsidies and contracts. This came after a period where Musk was a major financial backer of the Republican Party.
The Washington Post reported earlier this year that, based on the final available tally, the billionaire spent at least $288 million to help elect Trump and other Republican candidates in the 2024 cycle.
Musk's recent statements suggest a potential shift away from the Republican Party. He criticized the GOP’s domestic policy megabill — the inaptly named “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
Musk wrote, “In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people.”
This led to a related social media item in which Musk added, “A new political party is needed in America to represent the 80% in the middle! ... This is Fate.”
The possibility of Musk supporting a third party or Democratic candidates raises concerns for Trump, given Musk's previous financial contributions to the Republican Party. The president's warning to Musk has sparked debate about the appropriateness of a sitting president threatening a private citizen for political donations.