In a stunning turn of events, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has publicly called for the impeachment of US President Donald Trump, marking a dramatic escalation in their already strained relationship. The feud began when Trump criticized Tesla’s government subsidies and contracts, prompting Musk to respond with increasingly sharp posts on his social media platform, X.
### Background of the Feud
The tension between Musk and Trump started building over the president’s sweeping tax-cut and spending bill, which Musk vehemently opposed. Musk described the bill as a “disgusting abomination” that would worsen the nation’s $36.2 trillion debt. Trump, on the other hand, insisted that cutting government subsidies for Tesla and other companies would save billions of dollars.
### Musk’s Call for Impeachment
After Trump threatened to terminate Elon Musk’s governmental subsidies and contracts, Musk responded by endorsing a post on X suggesting Trump’s impeachment. Musk’s exact words were “Yes” in response to the impeachment call, highlighting the deepening rift between the two once-close allies.
### Trump’s Threats and Musk’s Rebuttal
Trump’s threat to cancel contracts for Musk’s companies, including SpaceX and Tesla, drew a strong reaction from Musk. Musk warned that Trump’s signature tariffs could push the US into recession and announced plans to decommission SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, the only US spacecraft capable of carrying astronauts to the International Space Station.
### Implications of the Feud
The public spat has significant implications for the business world and politics:
– *Market Impact*:
Tesla’s stock price plummeted 14.3% in a single day, losing around $150 billion in market value.
– *Republican Unity*:
The feud threatens to create divisions within the Republican Party, potentially affecting their chances in the upcoming midterm elections.
– *New Political Party*:
Musk even floated the idea of creating a new political party that represents the 80% in the middle, polling his 220 million followers on the proposition.
### Former Adviser’s Taunts and Trump’s Reaction
While the reports do not specify Musk taunting Trump over links to Epstein in this particular incident, the feud showcases the increasingly personal nature of their disagreements. Trump has publicly expressed disappointment in Musk, stating, “Look, Elon and I had a great relationship. I don’t know if we will anymore”
