President Donald Trump just pulled a 180 on his earlier musings about slashing federal support for Elon Musk’s business empire.
In a surprising turn of events, Trump has declared he’s not looking to yank subsidies or contracts from Musk’s companies like SpaceX or Tesla, instead championing their success as vital to America’s prosperity, the New York Post reported.
Let’s rewind to the drama that got us here. Back on June 5, 2024, Trump floated the idea of cutting Musk’s government deals, claiming it could save “billions and billions” in the federal budget. That’s a spicy meatball of a statement, but it seems the appetite for such cuts has since cooled.
Following that budget-saving brainstorm, Trump ordered a review of SpaceX contracts, only for the government to conclude—per a recent Wall Street Journal report—that these deals are too critical to axe. It’s almost as if innovation and national interests trumped a fiscal vendetta. Who’d have thought?
The backdrop to this saga is a public spat between Trump and Musk, ignited after Musk slammed Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act as “disgusting” and an “abomination.” That’s harsh, even for a billionaire with a knack for unfiltered commentary. But personal jabs aside, the policy clash revealed deeper tensions.
Trump, reflecting on the fallout, told The Post’s “Pod Force One” on June 11, 2024, that he was “a little disappointed” but didn’t hold a grudge. Sounds like the kind of restraint you don’t often see in political mudslinging. Maybe there’s hope for civility yet.
Fast forward to Thursday, when Trump took to Truth Social to set the record straight, insisting, “This is not so!” in response to rumors of dismantling Musk’s federal lifelines. That’s a firm pivot from budget-cutting crusader to cheerleader for American enterprise. Quite the plot twist.
Trump doubled down, proclaiming, “I want Elon, and all businesses within our Country, to THRIVE!” on the same platform. If that’s not a public olive branch, what is? Perhaps he’s realized that punishing innovation isn’t the winning strategy he thought.
Adding fuel to this reconciliatory fire, Trump’s warm words came just 10 days after Musk’s xAI secured a hefty $200 million contract with the Department of Defense. Coincidence? Or a calculated nod to Musk’s undeniable contributions to national interests?
Let’s not forget the stakes here—SpaceX has been a key partner to the government for years, raking in billions for missions to the International Space Station and bolstering GPS satellite tech. Meanwhile, Tesla’s electric vehicle subsidies, including regulatory credits, have netted an estimated $11.4 billion, per a Washington Post report. These aren’t small potatoes; they’re economic engines.
Musk’s empire doesn’t stop there—Starlink supports federal agencies with internet services, while his portfolio spans X, The Boring Company, and Neuralink. Cutting ties would be like unplugging half of America’s tech future. That’s a gamble even the boldest budget hawk might reconsider.
Even SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell noted in November 2023 that her company had secured $22 billion in government contracts to date. That’s a number that screams strategic value, not wasteful spending. Maybe Trump’s team finally did the math.
Visuals of Trump and Musk together—like their chat beside a Tesla at the White House or the SpaceX Starship launch in Texas—remind us of better days before their falling-out. They haven’t shared a public stage since the rift, but perhaps this latest rhetoric signals a thaw.
Trump mused to The Post on June 11, 2024, about possibly mending fences, saying, “I guess I could [get back on good terms].” That’s not exactly a bear hug, but it leaves the door open for collaboration over confrontation—a refreshing change from the usual political theater.
At the end of the day, this story isn’t just about two larger-than-life figures; it’s about whether America prioritizes innovation over petty disputes. Trump’s reversal suggests he’s betting on the former, and for once, that’s a policy shift conservatives and pragmatists alike can cheer. Let’s hope this truce holds longer than a Twitter trend.
