Trump-Musk bromance turns bitter: How former allies could use their power against each other?

Trump Musk feud

The online feud between US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk has fractured the once-strong bond between two of the world’s most powerful figures, a rift that could carry broader consequences if tensions continue to escalate.

Can Trump launch a formal investigation based on reports about Musk’s alleged drug use and is there anything Musk can do to push back against the powers the President holds?

What President can do? 

• Investigate drug use: Elon Musk’s critic Steve Bannon revealed he has urged a formal investigation into Musk’s immigration status, claiming the Tesla CEO is an “illegal alien” who should be deported. Musk, born in South Africa, is a naturalized US citizen. Bannon also called for probes into Musk’s alleged drug use, as reported by The New York Times, and his efforts to obtain classified military intelligence on China.

• End govt contracts: Trump, posting on Truth Social, proposed cutting government contracts with Elon Musk’s companies like SpaceX and Tesla as a way to reduce federal spending. In 2024, Musk’s firms were awarded nearly $3 billion across almost 100 contracts from 17 agencies.

• Suspend security clearance: Trump could suspend Elon Musk’s security clearance during investigations or go further by revoking it entirely, potentially jeopardizing SpaceX’s work with NASA and other federal agencies.

• Use of Presidential power: Trump could use presidential powers to target Musk, including ordering investigations, signing punitive executive orders, or shutting down Musk-backed initiatives like the Department of Government Efficiency.

Is there anything Musk can do? 

• Withdrawn fundings: Musk could counter Trump by using his billions to fund campaigns against Republicans. After spending over $250 million to support Trump, he criticized the president’s policy bill and GOP leaders, and might withhold the remaining $100 million pledged to Trump.

• Cause inconvenience to the administration: Musk initially threatened to decommission SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, crucial for NASA missions. However, hours later, Musk reversed his decision, announcing that SpaceX will not retire the Dragon spacecraft, Reuters reports, amid the escalating feud with President Trump.

• Use social media to provoke: Owning the popular platform X (formerly Twitter), Musk can influence public opinion and potentially impact Trump’s approval ratings. Musk posted a poll on X asking if it’s time to form a new political party representing the majority, with over 80% voting yes. He also appeared to support calls for Trump’s impeachment.Once close allies, Musk now accused Trump’s administration of delaying Epstein file releases because Trump’s name is involved, warning, “The truth will come out.” House Democrats seized on Musk’s claim.

(With agency inputs)