President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Elon Musk, saying the billionaire would face "very serious consequences" if he backs Republican primary challengers to lawmakers who
support Trump’s legislative agenda.
“If he does, he’ll have to pay the consequences,” Trump told NBC News on June 7, declining to specify what form those consequences would take. “He’ll have to pay very serious consequences if he does that.”
The threat follows a week of escalating tensions between the president and Musk, who was once a close adviser and major financial supporter. Musk donated nearly $300 million to Republican efforts in the 2024 election cycle, including Trump’s campaign, and served as a White House adviser focused on cutting federal bureaucracy.
Just days earlier, Musk denounced Trump’s legislative package—which includes tax cuts and border security measures—as a “disgusting abomination,” urging senators to reject the House-approved bill.
Trump’s warning marks a sharp turn in their relationship, which had been publicly celebrated as recently as May 30, when Trump presented Musk with a ceremonial gold key in the Oval Office.
In retaliation for Musk’s criticism, Trump has floated the possibility of revoking federal subsidies for Tesla and reviewing government contracts awarded to SpaceX.
“He’s got a lot of money. He gets a lot of subsidy, so we’ll take a look at that,” Trump said aboard Air Force One on June 6. “Only if it’s fair for him and for the country—I would certainly think about it. But it has to be fair.”
Sources close to the administration say tensions may also stem from Musk’s frustration that his preferred candidate was passed over to lead NASA, a decision reportedly made by Trump himself.
In response, Musk has reportedly threatened to suspend the Dragon spacecraft program, which is vital for U.S. missions to the International Space Station.
While Trump has publicly wished Musk’s companies well, his comments make clear that further political confrontation could carry financial consequences for the billionaire entrepreneur. Photo by The White House, Wikimedia commons.
