According to US President Donald Trump, Elon Musk had "lost his mind," and stated on Friday that he wanted to put the bitter feud with his billionaire former ally behind him. There are numerous political and economic risks associated with the acrimonious public split between the wealthiest and most influential people in the world.
White House officials told AFP that Trump had abandoned the plan to call Musk and was even considering selling the red Tesla he had purchased during their heated argument.
"Honestly, I've been so busy working on China, working on Russia, working on Iran... I'm not thinking about Elon Musk, I just wish him well," Trump told reporters on Air Force One on the way to his golf club in New Jersey late Friday.
Trump had earlier told US broadcasters that Musk's harsh criticism of his "big, beautiful" mega-bill had caused them to split up, and that he now wanted to concentrate on getting it passed by Congress instead. However, the 78-year-old Republican was unable to resist attacking his friend, who had turned into an enemy and was born in South Africa.
"You mean the man who has lost his mind?" Regarding Musk, Trump stated during an interview with ABC that he was "not particularly" interested in speaking with the business magnate.
Musk left his cost-cutting position at the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) after four months of employment, and Trump gave him a rapturous send-off just a week ago. Although tensions had been reported, Washington was taken aback by how quickly their relationship fell apart. Trump responded to Musk's Tuesday criticism of his spending bill as an "abomination" by saying he was "very disappointed" by the businessman in a tirade delivered from the Oval Office on Thursday.
Since it will increase the US deficit and, according to critics, reduce health care for millions of the poorest Americans, Trump's spending bill is unlikely to pass Congress. The dispute then descended into chaos as Musk insulted Trump and falsely accused him of having government records on sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump responded by claiming he could revoke the SpaceX CEO's multibillion-dollar rocket and satellite contracts, backed by the might of the US government. When questioned late Friday about how seriously he is considering terminating Musk's contracts, Trump adopted a more moderate stance.
"It's a lot of money, it's a lot of subsidy, so we'll take a look -- only if it's fair. Only if it's to be fair for him and the country," he said.
White House officials confirmed that no call was scheduled, despite Musk's brief gesture of peace. Although Trump has indicated that he wants to "move on," he has also said he will overlook Musk for the time being and proposed selling his cherry-red Tesla. However, some conservative strategists advocate for reconciliation, including hedge-funder Bill Ackman. Musk's father added his voice as well, describing the conflict as "silly" and "just a bump in the road."
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