Trump threatens Musk with 'serious consequences' in spending bill row

The problem is Trump is really threatening the American people with his bumbling.

“Trump telling reporters "I just wish him well," and Musk responding on X: "Likewise."

Both monumentally flawed, immensely unlikable and a stain on humanity. I wish neither well.

Great to see that "in-house-fighting"!

Waiting for Elonia to release all the dirt he got on Taco-Donald and his so-called administration!

It will be fireworks in the sky and popcorn time!!

The problem is Trump is really threatening the American people with his bumbling.

Not at all

Both monumentally flawed, immensely unlikable and a stain on humanity. I wish neither well.

I like to see the exchanges, I think it's good to see this and not play pretend kissy, kissy like the Dems do, like KJP, and then stab you in the back, what's all that about? But Musk is definitely playing a dangerous game here; he is the richest man, but Trump is the most powerful man, and, like even the famous mob boss Lucky Luciano once said, the US government is by far the most powerful mafia on the planet. At this point, I would be careful if I were Musk, like the guy a lot, but for his sake, I would back down quite a bit.

Elon Musk must be fully accountable to the fact he is/was an “advisor”.

No more, no less.

Democratically elected government are mandated by the people, on this occasion 5th November 2024, to govern,   

Donald Trump whether contributors to JT agree or disagree, is The president of the United States (POTUS).

Elon Musk needs to fully accept and respect the office.  

Display decorum, desist, stand down from public ego driven squabbling.

Seems like having bad breakups with hundreds of friends, employees, and even family would be some kind of message to people. In this case, BOTH of these people fit this description.

Alas, their followers can talk themselves out of any kind of reality.

The problem is Trump is really threatening the American people with his bumbling.

The problem is that Trump (like Musk) is not a mature and serious person.

Lol. The inevitable collapse of a relationship between two egotistical narcissists. Whouda thunk.

Almost looks like dems doing absolutely nothing since the election was the best strategy after all.

> Donald Trump whether contributors to JT agree or disagree, is The president of the United States (POTUS). 

Elon Musk needs to fully accept and respect the office.  

That's the problem, and he's about to find out, he can have any opinion he wants, but at the end of the day, he doesn't run the country, and if he wants to do that, he should throw his hat into the ring and run for office, this is the kind of fight he doesn't want and throwing baseless accusations without a shred of proof or validation makes him look like an idiot.

This is the problem with taking $300m from an unhinged, drug addled billionaire to help you buy an election and then allowing him unprecedented, unchecked power as payback.

A few weeks ago it was like….

Wow! They really love each other!

Today it’s like….

Wow! They really hate each other!

"He'll have to pay very serious consequences if he does that," Trump, who also branded Musk "disrespectful," told NBC News on Saturday, without specifying what those consequences would be.

Aren't Americans free to donate money to any political candidate they like, from any political party, without fear of retaliation from opposing candidates if they get elected instead?

bass4funk

but Trump is the most powerful man,

Not really. Trump is very limited in what he can do to Musk.

itsonlyrocknroll

Donald Trump whether contributors to JT agree or disagree, is The president of the United States (POTUS).

Who cares? That is irrelevant.

Elon Musk needs to fully accept and respect the office.  

Why? Musk is just exercising free speech as in Trump.

Display decorum, desist, stand down from public ego driven squabbling.

Why? It's a free country. And both Trump and Musk are acting as bad as each other, so why focus on Musk?

Definitely have the popcorn out for this one.

Trump is worried about a revolt among Republicans against his bill and other unpopular things he's done. With such a slim margin it won't take many to screw things up. Even some of the loyal Rep. Congressman are having second thoughts and backtracking. With some of them staring down the barrel of a gun in upcoming reelections an offer from Elon might look very appealing especially if they think they going to lose office in the not too distant future. Could a serious revolt against Trump/ MAGA happen - maybe. Money talks, and obviously Trump is taking that threat seriously.

I like to see the exchanges, I think it's good to see this and not play pretend kissy, kissy like the Dems do, like KJP, and then stab you in the back, what's all that about?

Less than a week ago, they were fawning all over each other. Yesterday one accused the other of pedophilia. But that’s not pretend kissy kissy and backstabbing?

The coping strategies from maga over this are almost as funny as the event itself.

UnderworldToday  07:36 am JST

**bass4funk: **but Trump is the most powerful man,

Not really. Trump is very limited in what he can do to Musk.

Indeed. Unless the POTUS has specfic powers to persecute supporters of political opponents that we don't know about?

In the 70, and 80, presidents would say privately to the CIA commanders in charge of hit squads

"You know that SOB ....invent Latino leaders name ....in Nicaragua ...or El Salvadore....is really giving us a hard time.

I just wish we could something about it "

No direct orders needed, the meaning is clear and the problem gets wacked.

Bob FosseToday  07:42 am JST

Less than a week ago, they were fawning all over each other. Yesterday one accused the other of pedophilia. But that’s not pretend kissy kissy and backstabbing?

The coping strategies from maga over this are almost as funny as the event itself.

Well, they just can't say anything bad about the MAGA-verse.

Both monumentally flawed, immensely unlikable and a stain on humanity. I wish neither well.

I like to see the exchanges,

Hmmm....you like it when Elon says Trump is in the Epstein files and that he's hiding that from the public? OK...

Then you'll love it when Elon follows through with his promise to primary and defeat any Repub that votes for the "disgusting abomination" bill...

Darth Vader once again turns on the Emperor - and we know how that turned out...

Trump's most serious personal situation since taking office. It will be a long, hot summer.

Elon v. Trump

ALIEN VS. PREDATOR

What a clown show.

Sheesh that didn’t end well…

tbf it’s on par for these make America great types (magats) full of spit and venom.

Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" is very personal; any defeat would be a major blow to his presidency.

throwing baseless accusations without a shred of proof or validation makes him look like an idiot.

Ha ha ha... Irony explosion!!

That's the problem, and he's about to find out, he can have any opinion he wants, but at the end of the day, he doesn't run the country, and if he wants to do that, he should throw his hat into the ring and run for office, this is the kind of fight he doesn't want and throwing baseless accusations without a shred of proof or validation makes him look like an idiot.

Wait a minute, wait a minute...

Yesterday you were defending and professing your "love" of the guy...now you're threatening him and saying he's an idiot?

What a MEGA-MAGA-FLIP-FLOP!

Totally expected by the way...

lincolnmanToday  08:05 am JST

Hmmm....you like it when Elon says Trump is in the Epstein files and that he's hiding that from the public? OK...

Then you'll love it when Elon follows through with his promise to primary and defeat any Repub that votes for the "disgusting abomination" bill...

Well, for the MAGA faithful no news about Trump is ever bad news. Or if it is they'll just try to deflect with endless "what about Democrats" comments.

Nothing unusual.

everything one might do has consequences.

Nothing unusual.

The ‘first buddy’ accusing the Justice Department of withholding information that proves trump is a pedophile. You’re joking, right?

bass4funk

President Trump afforded Elon Musk with a level of trust,

That trust has been abused in a public display of betrayal.

Elon Musk on his own recognizance chose to financially support Donald Trump candidature.

In doing so accepted that Donald Trump has a clear policy manifesto to instigate change.

Elon Musk, I suspect, encouraged by his maladies, thought he could force through policies that would enhance Tesla vested business interests.

That was never going to happen.

I will go furthe,r Elon Mush thought/believed he could act as a “proxy”.

In reality never ever mandated directly, in charge, or authority.     .

Only a week since receiving the White House "Golden Key", so surely plenty of twists and turns, as these two media experts perform their gas-lighting magic!

As this drama allows them to control the media narrative and acts to reassure the American public that political checks and balances are alive and well.

Aren't Americans free to donate money to any political candidate they like, from any political party, without fear of retaliation from opposing candidates if they get elected instead?

Yes, but at the same time, if you are a donor and you are conspiring to take down the government by nefarious means, not for the betterment of the nation, but to strike at a political pundit, then, no.

Musk can donate money how he sees fit, that's not the problem, but now he's trying to threaten Trump, that is a fight he just won't win, Trump won't stand for it and neither the GOP, I would make the same argument if it were the Dems and George Soros.

Not really. Trump is very limited in what he can do to Musk.

Not at all, the other way around, if the mafia and Disney couldn't, Musk won't and can't either, that's why he's toning it down quite a bit. So yes, he can hurt Trump to an extent, but Trump can absolutely screw him more. SpaceX, for instance, depends on major NASA and Pentagon contracts. The government could choose to shift funding to competitors like Blue Origin or ULA, that would massively cripple Musk, he knows that, that's the reason why he's back tracking on some of the comments he made the other day.

NASA depends on Musk's SpaceX for the ISS. Only Russian rockets are an alternative. Trump drastically cut the NASA budget and fired workers.

US people electorate, media should be dissecting debating sentence by sentence, line by line   

Donald Trump so called One Big Beautiful Bill Act

Quote …….

Tax portion of the bill will increase the child tax credit to $2,500 through 2028 and $2,000 after that, add a new tax deduction for tips and overtime, raise the state and local tax deduction (SALT) cap to $30,000 from $10,000, create a "money accounts for growth and investment" savings account for parents.

Just a taster, classic tax and spend, extended tax cuts, a level of federal benefits, however increasing to the national debt ceiling.

It is changes to Medicaid, the work requirements for childless adults without disabilities.

Essentially qualification, the requirement, to work at least 80 hours per month beginning December 2026.

Then consider “re-enrollment” from once per year to every six months. providing additional income and residency verifications.

All carried on a single vote (215-214)

Yet here we are huffing and puffing, on a now defunct Trump Musk bromance

bass4funkToday  08:57 am JST

Yes, but at the same time, if you are a donor and you are conspiring to take down the government by nefarious means,

What "nefarious means" would these be, specifically.

...not for the betterment of the nation, but to strike at a political pundit, then, no.

Really? So you're not allowed to donate money to a political candidate if your motivation is to attack his opponent? How's it possible to tell what a donor's motivation is, and how would you legislate against it?

Yes, but at the same time, if you are a donor and you are conspiring to take down the government by nefarious means, not for the betterment of the nation, but to strike at a political pundit, then, no.

Ah, so for the neocons, as long as Musk did it for their side, it was okay. But now that there is a possibility that he may do it for Democrats, then it's not okay? Sounds like the basic modus operandi for Trump's mafia; do as he says; not as he does. In Trump's world, the laws only apply to others; not to him.

Love how the MAGA people, who were (figuratively) fellating Musk barely a week ago, now all but consider him a registered Democrat.

Musk is in the end a Libertarian, not left or right, and he's got no alternative except to back a third party, which would be far too big a time drag, as he's at a pivotal moment with his AI, Autonomous and Space Empire.

Anyone with an ounce of common sense, understands that Musk's path to historical greatness, requires he stay firmly seated on the Trump Train, and this is just a media show in order to re-establish his moderate brand.

Meanwhile, the Trump clan's investing $heavily in SpaceX!

Trump wants the White House key back again that he gave to Musk.

I don't know about all this nonsense of the left embracing musk but damn when there is an opportunity to stick the boot in to a pair snakes like those two, the queue would go around the corner and down the block.

why threaten. Just do it. There is nothing more entertaining than to see these "big" right wing men having a go at each other. just let us know how we can enable you more in that.

That's the problem, and he's about to find out, he can have any opinion he wants, but at the end of the day, he doesn't run the country, and if he wants to do that, he should throw his hat into the ring and run for office

Musk cannot run for President, it’s against the law. MAGA showing their basic inability to understand the very basics of America once again.

President Trump would be wise to keep a close eye on JD Vance, conspicuous by his silence, perched on that Oval office sofa, whils tquietly plotting in the broom cupboard, no doubt.

A political prince of darkness, hovering around, lurking over Trump shoulders

yep we are done with him, I thought that was made obvious.

So if he makes up with Trump and is welcomed back into the fold, he will be persona non grata to you?

Remember, you are only allowed to think what Trump tells you to think, so tread carefully.

yep we are done with him, I thought that was made obvious.

Not obvious at all when people on the far right are cranking out deranged conspiracy theories about how this is all an act!! Theatrics!! They actually love each other and this was just done so that the left could but Teslas!! The girls aren’t fighting!! The girls aren’t fighting!!! This is 50% likely to be completely true!!!!

Who said that, again?

So if he makes up with Trump and is welcomed back into the fold, he will be persona non grata to you?

done with him as of now.

hypothetical for the future, who knows?

That’s up to Trump if his public groveling apology or money or influence might have some temporary usefulness once again.

Elon messed up, badly. So he’s sent back to your team. For now.

That’s the current situation.

done with him as of now.

hypothetical for the future, who knows?

“These three Democrats, who I have decided are the thought leaders of anyone to the left of Mussolini, are bad because they will embrace Musk if it suits them and abandon him when he isn’t. That’s dishonest. Not like us sensible Trump Cultists, who will embrace Musk when it suits us and abandon him when it doesn’t. That’s just being smart.”

In addition to the outright hypocrisy of their Musk-love for the past six months that has now turned into Musk-loathing, we are also treated to some real MAGA zero-sum thinking...

"Musk has turned and betrayed Trump so obviously he is now a member of Team Blue"....

You know, just like Mike Pence, Liz Cheney, and John Bolton are now card-carrying Libs...

Musk has shown everyone with his Heil salutes and Holocaust denying that he is a disgusting cretin...who MAGA-world loved and defended when he was doing those things by the way...

So the shock of their MAGA-King and MAGA-Prince now warring with each other really has them in complete meltdown and denial...and all they can do is reflexively shout "It's the Libs"...

This MAGA implosion "theater" is so enjoyable to watch...

There you go again with that "team" stuff. Unless you are actually involved with GOP political activities it just sounds deeply odd.

Musk is not an idiot; he knows full well if he went back to the Dems, what that would look like. He's running his mouth; he's ticked off, it seems (and this is just pure speculation, gossip at this point) that Musk got decked by the Treasury Secretary Bessent. Again, he's not the President, and he wasn't elected, and at the end of the day, loyalty won't be on his side.

If he wants to throw his hat in the ring, go for it, we shall see in 4 years where it could lead.

bass4funkToday  09:54 am JST

"Really? So you're not allowed to donate money to a political candidate if your motivation is to attack his opponent?"

That is not what I said

It's exactly what you said. Maybe it's not what you meant but your writing is so sloppy most of the time it's quite hard to tell.

Who are the others?

“At least one House Democrat is open to wooing back Musk, who previously was a Democratic Party donor, into the party’s tent. 

“If Biden had a big supporter criticize him, Trump would have hugged him the next day. When we refused to meet with @RobertKennedyJr, Trump embraced him & won. We can be the party of sanctimonious lectures, or the party of FDR that knows how to win & build a progressive majority,” 

Okay, we’ve got 2 now. Your first example didn’t check out as agreeing with everything Musk says.

Where does this example indicate agreement with everything Musk says?

I don’t see it.

Sounds more like promoting a tactical move.

This idea of the left embracing everything Musk says isn’t really holding up.

If he wants to throw his hat in the ring, go for it, we shall see in 4 years where it could lead.

Again, MUSK CANNOT RUN FOR PRESIDENT. How is it that “American nationalists” can know so little about the USA?

A Trump wipeout.

Again, MUSK CANNOT RUN FOR PRESIDENT. How is it that “American nationalists” can know so little about the USA?

Uh, I know that. But Musk doesn’t seem to know it, but he thinks he’s got a hold on this? Ok, let him think that.

Dumb. Run the country and do your job. You got the votes—now lead.

The border? Sure, you claim it's handled. But there are lawsuits piling up. So is it really?

Inflation is still high. People feel it every day.

The dysfunction in the Department of Defense? Even worse—downright embarrassing.

Now there's a public spat with the CEO of Tesla? Honestly, that’s just stupid.

The Ukraine war promises? Vague at best. “We're committed,” you say—but to what end?

I’m not saying I regret my vote—not yet. But let’s be real: a lot of people are thinking it. This era of politics needs to be flushed. The division between Republicans and Democrats? It’s tired and toxic.

The President’s job is simple: make the world better—for everyone. Focus. Unite. Lead. Enough with the distractions.

Elon Musk was only ever an advisor, his donations were always to further “Investment business interests" , Musk took advantage.

NASA Awards Launch Services Contract for SpaceX Starship

https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-awards-launch-services-contract-for-spacex-starship/

Government must be seen to be “crystal clean” open to scrutiny, from “go rouge” vested interests.

“SpaceX Starship” must not be cynical weaponised to enhance Musk ego narcissism.

Musk is no fool in a silly hat, sporting a black eye

...Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while he faced sex trafficking charges.

The missing word here is "allegedly". And for the record Epstein was found dead on the watch of his party-going buddy, Trump 1.0.

Donald Trump and Elon Musk are like two peas in a pod

US President Donald Trump threatened his former advisor Elon Musk with "serious consequences" Saturday if the tech billionaire seeks to punish Republicans who vote for a controversial spending bill.

Trump is same as Tokugawa Shogun who has threatened everyone who has criticized or disagreed with him. In medieval Nippon, Shogun was free to behead someone(including family members and offspring)who had dared to be outspoken about him. Sadly US has going backward to the medieval era as someone who has supreme authority for dictating everything and everyone. The sacrifice and wisdom of founding fathers have been drained like swamp.

According US constitution, President is not an emperor who can punish everyone. He has executive power however it is not unlimited. Congress is responsible for the budget. It is not a sugar coated institution for pleasing a mad dictatorship for saying Yes for everything. If someone has been keep spending more than he or she earns, he or she has to keep borrow money from others. He or she will be indebted forever. Better amputate the limb before cancer is spreading to the whole body.

Musk is not a Zenlensky. He is 53. Trump is 78. After three and half year, Trump will become a history. Republicans will still need to raise the fund for their campaign in the future. Who has more cards and cash? Trump or Musk?

The blistering break-up -- largely carried out on social media before a riveted public on Thursday -- was ignited by Musk's harsh criticism of Trump's so-called "big, beautiful" spending bill, which is currently before Congress.

Big and beautiful spending bill has destroyed bromance between Trump and Musk. Musk is a lot richer. However he is thoughtful, conservative and consistent. Back in Feb, Musk said I love Trump the most as straight man love another man. This month is June. How time has changed?

There is no permanent friend or foe for Trump. Being a friend of Trump is dangerous as well as being a foe of Trump is dangerous.