Trump warns Musk of 'serious consequences' amid dispute over spending bill

Trump Warns Musk of ‘Serious Consequences’ Over Spending Bill Dispute

U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened his former advisor, Elon Musk, with “serious consequences” if the billionaire tech mogul follows through on efforts to penalize Republicans who support a contentious spending bill currently under debate in Congress.

Speaking to NBC News, Trump issued the warning amid a dramatic public breakdown in their relationship, which has played out over the past week—largely through social media and to wide public attention.

The fallout began after Musk launched a scathing attack on Trump’s “big, beautiful” spending bill, a signature legislative item for the president’s second term. Musk called the proposal an “abomination,” prompting backlash from Trump and his allies.

Some Republican lawmakers opposed to the bill urged Musk—who was among the GOP’s most prominent donors during last year’s election—to fund primary challenges against party members who vote in favor of the legislation.

“If he does that, he’ll face very serious consequences,” Trump said, while also calling Musk “disrespectful.” He did not elaborate on what those consequences would be.

Trump added that he had no intention of mending ties with the South African-born Tesla and SpaceX CEO, saying, “I have no desire to speak with him.”

Just days earlier, Trump had praised Musk warmly as he stepped down from his role leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a cost-cutting initiative. But tensions escalated quickly after Musk publicly condemned the spending bill, leading to a fiery exchange and a political spectacle that stunned Washington.

Although there were signs the two were attempting to de-escalate on Friday—Trump telling reporters, “I just wish him well,” and Musk replying “Likewise” on X—the detente was short-lived.

Epstein Allegations Resurface

Trump’s latest comments came after Musk deleted a controversial post that had reignited old allegations linking Trump to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

In a since-deleted message on X, Musk claimed Trump was mentioned in unreleased government files related to Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Musk provided no evidence and did not specify which documents he was referring to.

“This is the real reason the files haven’t been released,” Musk wrote. He initially stood by the post, urging followers to “mark this for the future,” before removing it by Saturday morning.

Trump dismissed the accusation as “old news,” stating, “Even Epstein’s lawyer said I had nothing to do with it.”

Trump’s name has appeared in documents unsealed by a New York judge in early 2024, but he has not been formally accused of any wrongdoing.

Conspiracy theorists within Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement have long claimed that powerful individuals linked to Epstein were shielded by the government. While these theories often target Democrats and Hollywood elites, Trump himself has largely escaped similar scrutiny from his base.

Trump had known Epstein socially and acknowledged spending time with him in both New York and Florida. In a media profile from the early 2000s, Trump described Epstein as “a terrific guy” and remarked, “It is even said he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.”

Epstein’s private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where prosecutors alleged he trafficked underage girls, has been central to the case. Trump has denied ever visiting the island.