BILLIONAIRES BAIL on Trump After Musk Feud!
Musk’s explosive clash with Trump over a GOP spending bill has prompted dramatic reactions from America’s business elite, exposing deep divisions over politics, loyalty, and fiscal policy.
Elon Musk denounced Trump’s latest spending bill as a “debt slavery” scheme.
Trump fired back by threatening to revoke Tesla and SpaceX’s federal contracts.
Tesla’s stock dropped 14%, costing Musk around $34 billion in a day.
Mark Cuban, Bill Ackman, and Vinod Khosla publicly supported Musk’s position.
Some CEOs now fear political retaliation for criticizing Trump-era policies.
Billionaires Speak Out
Prominent business leaders are taking sides in what may become Silicon Valley’s most consequential political fallout of the year. Mark Cuban quickly endorsed Musk’s critique of the GOP-backed bill, praising him for challenging bipartisan spending excess. Billionaire investor Vinod Khosla expressed rare support, applauding Musk’s willingness to confront deficits head-on. Bill Ackman, known for political centrism, urged both men to reconcile before their egos triggered economic damage.
Watch a report: Trump-Musk spending fight rattles markets
Even Anthony Scaramucci warned the split could weaken conservative credibility among fiscally minded entrepreneurs. Cathie Wood echoed concerns, suggesting that publicly criticizing federal debt while relying on subsidies—as Musk’s companies do—would remain politically risky.
The Risk of Retaliation
Trump didn’t hesitate to strike back. He threatened to revoke Tesla and SpaceX’s access to more than $38 billion in federal contracts, a move many saw as politically motivated retribution. In turn, Tesla’s stock plummeted, slashing Musk’s net worth by an estimated $34 billion. The episode has heightened fears among CEOs that crossing Trump could trigger state-sanctioned consequences—particularly for firms with government-linked revenues.
Behind the scenes, C-suite figures are urging de-escalation, worried about the precedent of economic punishment for political speech. According to one source close to a Fortune 100 board, “If Trump can do this to Musk, he can do it to any of us.”
A Tech Power Shift?
Musk’s political credibility—once bolstered by his influence over both parties—is fading. Axios reports that figures like OpenAI’s Sam Altman may now hold more sway in Washington, with many in the tech world relieved to see Musk’s dominance recede. Some insiders even view the split as a chance to recalibrate the Valley’s relationship with federal power.
Yet despite the calls for calm, Errol Musk told Reuters his son’s attack on Trump stemmed from extreme stress—and warned the feud must end or risk spiraling into something worse. Whether this storm passes or sparks a broader corporate rebellion remains to be seen.