• Donald Trump threatens Elon Musk with 'serious consequences' if he funds Democrats.
• The feud escalated after Musk criticized Trump's spending bill as a 'disgusting abomination.'
• Trump stated he considers his relationship with Musk effectively over.
• Musk's father attributes the clash to prolonged stress affecting both men.
• Many Republicans fear the fallout could impact political unity as the Senate debates the spending bill.

In a recent interview, US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to billionaire Elon Musk, stating that he would face “serious consequences” if he financially supports Democratic candidates opposed to Republicans backing Trump’s significant spending bill. The tension between the two prominent figures escalated markedly after Musk publicly lambasted the bill as a “disgusting abomination,” reshaping their prior relationship characterized by mutual support, according to SCMP, India Times, and Al Jazeera.

During a phone interview with NBC, Trump expressed his belief that his bond with the Tesla and SpaceX CEO has ended, remarking, “I have no intention of speaking to him,” and characterizing Musk's attacks as disrespectful to the presidency. Trump's confidence persists in the passing of the controversial spending bill despite the public spat, which has gained traction among his allies worried about potential political ramifications, as reported by HuffPost and Business Insider.

The feud erupted on social media after Musk criticized the GOP budget plan, which Trump had heavily endorsed. Following Musk's critique, Trump hinted at possible retaliation by withdrawing government support for Musk's companies, leading to a cascade of incendiary remarks from both sides. Errol Musk, Elon Musk's father, stated that the conflict stemmed from intense stress on both individuals, describing the situation as a “mistake” on Elon's part and expressing hope for reconciliation, according to Channel News Asia and Reuters.

Reports indicate that Trump is now more focused on solidifying Republican support for his budget proposal, leveraging Musk's criticisms to rally Republican lawmakers around the bill. Musk, embroiled in his own public relations crisis, has since indicated a potential reduction in his political contributions, having previously funneled approximately $250 million into Trump’s 2024 campaign, detailing his diminishing interest in engaging financially in future political battles, as noted by The Hill and India Times.