Trump Plans Review of Musk's Government Contracts
On June 6, 2025, former US President Donald Trump declared his intention to review all government contracts held by Elon Musk's companies. This statement came amid escalating tensions between the two influential figures, following several public exchanges of criticism and disagreement.
Trump emphasized that the review would focus on fairness to both Musk and the country, stating, "We'll take a look at everything. I look at everything. He’s got a lot of money. He gets a lot of subsidy. So, we’ll take a look at that." He further added that any decisions would be driven by national interest considerations.
Questioning Past Investigations
When questioned about the possibility of reopening any prior investigations into Musk or his companies, Trump expressed uncertainty, saying, "I didn't know that they had any, but if they had, I would just let them speak for themselves. I have no idea."
Trump Downplays Musk’s Role in Defense and Space
Trump downplayed Musk’s contribution to the defense and space sectors, asserting that the United States could function effectively without many individuals, with the exception of himself. In his words, "The US can survive without almost anybody. Except me."
Focus on Legislative Agenda
Shifting focus, Trump highlighted his support for the controversial "Big Beautiful Bill", claiming it had gained significant backing. He remarked, "I don't have too many critics, maybe Rand Paul or somebody, but over the last 24 hours, it’s even solidified. We have tremendous support on the bill."
Background: Trump-Musk Relations Sour
Relations between Trump and Musk had shown signs of strain after Musk stepped down from his role as a special government employee last week, an occasion marked by a warm farewell from Trump.
However, the situation deteriorated following Musk's public criticism of Trump’s proposed tax and spending legislation. Musk described the bill as a "big, ugly spending bill" and initiated a poll on his social media platform asking whether it was time to create a new political party representing the middle 80% of Americans. The poll garnered over 2.1 million votes, with approximately 82% supporting the idea.
Trump reacted strongly by threatening to cancel Musk’s government contracts and accused him of having "gone CRAZY." Subsequently, Musk countered by warning that Trump’s tariffs could cause a recession and further escalated the feud by making an unverified claim involving Jeffrey Epstein.
Key Takeaways
- Trump plans a comprehensive review of Musk's government contracts, highlighting fairness and national interest.
- Uncertainty remains over any past investigations into Musk.
- Musk’s role in defense and space sectors is downplayed by Trump.
- Trump’s support for the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ is reportedly strong despite some criticism.
- Relations between Trump and Musk have visibly deteriorated following public disagreements.
This ongoing dispute reflects broader dynamics between political leadership and influential private sector figures in the American defense and technology landscape.
