Donald Trump, the President of the United States, has more than adamantly denied those claims. He says he’s not out to destroy Elon Musk’s businesses by yanking their government handouts. Tensions between the two leading contenders for the Presidency are beginning to boil over. This change comes just a day after Musk heavily condemned Trump’s lavish new spending bill.
Musk, the CEO of Tesla, took to Twitter to express his displeasure over Trump’s spending bill in an escalating series of tweet-storms. This ignited a fierce battle of words that garnered national press attention. There was real substance in some of Musk’s comments, especially when it came to Trump’s dangerous associations — particularly with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This highly visible public quarrel belies their complex history, filled with moments of both cooperation and conflict.
This was included to show how Trump addressed the latest social media outcry. He vehemently denied any plans to disrupt Musk’s business interests. On a personal note, I shared with him my deep hope and prayer for Musk—and indeed for all American enterprise—to succeed. Everyone says that I will destroy Elon’s companies by taking away some (or all) of the billions that U.S. Government pays him. This is not so! THRIVE—i.e., THRIVE like never before! I don’t expect Elon to answer my questions, but I want every business—including startup businesses—within our great Country to THRIVE.
Furthermore, Trump highlighted the broader economic implications of Musk’s success, asserting, “The better they do, the better the USA does, and that’s good for all of us.” These comments point to his core conviction that what is good for corporations is good for the country.
The recent history of the relationship between Trump and Musk has had its share of high points and low points. June: Trump first suggested cutting some of Musk’s government contracts. This was hardly a surprise given how the mood between the two governors had soured. Earlier this year, one of the funnier moments came when Musk was presented with a symbolic golden key from Trump himself. So, something like the following dialogue could happen in the Oval Office on May 30, 2025. This gesture heralded a new thaw and a warmer, more diplomatic era to come.
Sources reported that Trump recently met with Amazon’s Jeff Bezos at the White House, indicating that his interactions with major business leaders continue to evolve.
Ironically, perhaps, the most prominent clash between these two titanic figures—in more ways than one—is playing out at this very moment. The real test will be how it helps them grow their businesses and the broader U.S. economy.