Washington: Elon Musk shocked the political world by calling President Donald Trump to be charged.
The boss of billionaire technology made the request after a fierce public row with Trump on public spending and subsidies to electric vehicles.
Both, formerly close allies, have now turned into rivals, with Musk saying that Trump is no longer able to direct. The quarrel took place in real time on social networks, making the headlines and rattling markets.
Hostilities started when Trump criticized Tesla Musk CEO in the Oval Office. In a few hours, the formerly close relationship had disintegrated in its own right, as the most powerful man in the world and his richest personal beards on the truth of Social Trump and Musk’s.
“The simplest way to save money in our budget – billions and billions of dollars – is to terminate the subsidies and government contracts from Elon,” said Trump on Truth Social.
Wall Street traders have poured actions in Musk’s Electric Vehicle Maker, and Tesla closed 14.3%, losing around 150 billion in market value – its strongest decrease of one day.
A few minutes after the closing bell, Musk replied “yes” to a position on X suggesting that Trump should be charged. Trump Republicans are currently controlling the two chambers of the congress, which makes the indictment unlikely.
The rift had been preparing for days, starting when Musk denounced the drop in the Trump tax cup and expenses. Initially, Trump kept silent while Musk campaigned to kill the bill, saying that this would worsen the debt of 36.2 billions of dollars in the country.
Trump finally broke his silence on Thursday, telling journalists in the oval office that he was “very disappointed” by Musk.
“Listen, Elon and I had an excellent relationship. I don’t know if we want it,” said Trump.
While Trump was talking, Musk drew more and more clear messages on X.
“Without me, Trump would have lost the elections,” wrote Musk, who spent nearly $ 300 million to support Trump and other Republicans in last year’s elections. “Such ingratitude.”
In another article, Musk warned that Trump’s signature rates could push the United States into a recession later this year.
Alongside Tesla, Musk companies include the rocket company and the government entrepreneur SpaceX and its satellite unit link.
Musk, whose space company plays an essential role in the American government’s space program, said that it would start to dismiss the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft – the only American spacecraft currently capable of transporting astronauts to the international space station – in response to Trump threats.
Pugilist pair
The quarrel was not entirely unexpected. Trump and Musk are both political pugilists with important Egos and a habit of using social media to retaliate to criticism, and many had predicted a fall.
Even before Musk left the administration last week, his influence had passed out after repeated clashes with the members of the cabinet for its reduction in aggressive costs.
For Trump, this marks the first major break with a high adviser since entering second position, although his first mandate has seen many dramatic outings.
Trump separated from multiple chiefs of staff, national security advisers and political strategists between 2017 and 2021. Some, like Steve Bannon, remained allies. Many others, like ambassador John Bolton, have become vocal criticism.
Musk has become one of Trump’s most visible advisers after being the largest republican donor in the 2024 campaign. As head of the government’s efficiency department, Musk directed a scanning and controversial effort to reduce federal workforce and dam expenditure.
He was regularly seen in the White House and on Capitol Hill, often with his young son in a trailer.
Barely six days before Thursday’s breakdown, Trump and Musk made a joint appearance in the oval office, praising the work of the other and committing to continuing to work together.
But the quarrel now threatens republican unity before the middle of next year. Massive links and Musk’s fundraising links with Silicon Valley could express problems.
Musk has already said that he planned to reduce his political expenses in the future.
Shortly after Trump’s remarks, Musk displayed a survey on his 220 million followers on X:
“Is it time to create a new political party in America that really represents 80% in the middle?”
‘Kill the bill’
Musk criticized Trump’s “big and beautiful bill” this week, calling it a “disgusting abomination” that would bloak the federal deficit. His criticisms have expanded the existing cracks in the Republican Party which could flow the adoption of the bill in the Senate.
Non -partisan analysts say that the bill could add $ 2.4 billions to $ 5 billion to national debt of $ 36.2 billions of dollars.
Trump accused Musk of opposing the bill because he reduces tax credits on electric vehicles. He also said Musk had failed to work in the White House.
“It’s not the first,” said Trump. “People leave my administration … Then at some point, they miss it so much. Some kiss him. Some become hostile. “
Musk wrote on X: “Kill the Bill”, adding that he could accept the loss of EV credits if the Republicans suppressed the “Disgusting Pork Mountain” in the bill.
He also resurfaced Trump’s past comments, sentenced to the government’s excessive expenses: “Where is this type today?”
Musk entered the government promising to reduce 2 billions of dollars from the budget. He left after only half a woman hundred – while leaving chaos in his wake.
His political change has sparked demonstrations in Tesla’s facilities in the United States and Europe, resulting in the drop in sales and scary investors who are worried about Musk is too distracted.
