Jeff Bezos gains ground with Trump as Musk feud opens new space race

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and US President Donald Trump

The rivalry between Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk has long been a fixture of the commercial space industry. But as Musk’s relationship with President Trump sours, Bezos is capitalizing on the fallout—and angling to turn Blue Origin into a serious contender for government space contracts, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Trump, frustrated by Musk’s recent criticism of his administration and legislative agenda, has begun to distance himself from the SpaceX CEO. That rift has prompted a flurry of behind-the-scenes outreach from Bezos, who spoke with Trump at least twice this month. Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp also visited the White House to meet with Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, according to people familiar with the discussions.

Blue Origin steps up lobbying efforts

Bezos and his team have lobbied for more federal support, hoping to close the vast contract gap between SpaceX and Blue Origin. In 2024 alone, the Space Force awarded SpaceX $5.9 billion for 28 missions, while Blue Origin secured $2.4 billion for just seven launches. SpaceX is on pace to launch a record 170 times this year, dwarfing Blue Origin’s efforts, which include just one orbital mission in 2024 and another planned for August.

The new outreach comes amid growing pressure inside Blue Origin to scale operations. Limp has been pushing to launch a moon lander this year and is positioning the company for bigger stakes—possibly including Trump’s “Golden Dome” missile defence initiative and Mars exploration programs proposed by the White House.

Trump-Musk split reshapes space alliances

Musk, once one of Trump’s top advisers, had enjoyed tremendous influence in Washington. He funnelled over $250 million into a pro-Trump super PAC and helped shape nominations, including backing Jared Isaacman for NASA chief—a pick that was later withdrawn. In return, SpaceX amassed over $20 billion in federal contracts across NASA and the Pentagon.

But the relationship began unravelling in June when Musk criticized Trump’s legislative efforts on X and mused about forming a new political party. Trump lashed out in response, threatening to cancel federal subsidies for Musk’s companies and accusing the SpaceX founder of disloyalty.

“Terminating Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts” is the “easiest way to save money,” Trump posted, igniting fresh concerns in Musk’s orbit.

Bezos courts Trump—this time successfully

Bezos, once a frequent target of Trump’s attacks, has spent months rebuilding ties. He has developed a personal rapport with Trump’s daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner and was praised by the president for blocking a Washington Post editorial endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris.

In a surprising twist, Trump’s team confirmed Bezos invited the president to his upcoming wedding in Venice. Though Trump is not expected to attend due to scheduling conflicts, the gesture signals a dramatically improved relationship.

Amazon has also played a role in smoothing ties. The company paid $40 million for first lady Melania Trump’s documentary—more than triple the next-highest bid—and donated $1 million to the Trump inauguration. Bezos and his fiancée Lauren Sánchez were prominently seated at the event.

The stakes for US space policy

As Trump eyes a return to the moon and potentially Mars during his second term, the balance of influence in the space sector could shift. Musk’s grip on federal contracts is no longer assured, while Bezos sees a rare opening to elevate Blue Origin.

Still, Blue Origin must prove it can reliably deliver on big missions—something it has struggled with while SpaceX has surged ahead. The next few months, including a high-stakes New Glenn launch in August, could determine whether Bezos’ lobbying translates into a tangible realignment of NASA and military priorities.

If Trump’s breakup with Musk continues, Bezos may emerge as a central player in shaping America’s next space chapter—and in defining who gets to lead it.