Silicon Valley Iron Man vs. US President: Musk and Trump's "War" Escalates!

Recent international headlines have been dominated by the "war of words" between two global powerhouses: tech titan Elon Musk, head of X Platform and Tesla, and President Donald Trump.

This relationship, once perceived as "mutual admiration," has taken a sharp turn, escalating into an open conflict that could shake the future of American technology and space. Today, we delve into the ins and outs of this "clash of titans."

I. Conflict Escalation Timeline: From "Minor Friction" to "Full Blown Outbreak" This conflict was not born overnight but evolved through a series of accumulating events:

Early Warning Signs: The seeds of conflict were sown early when a NASA nominee closely associated with Musk was withdrawn, seen as an initial sign of a rift in their relationship.

Policy Differences: Earlier this year, Musk indirectly criticized Trump's tariff policies by sharing videos highlighting the benefits of free trade. In March, Trump, citing Musk's business interests in China, blocked the Pentagon from briefing him on war plans involving China.

Money Matters: In May, Musk announced a reduction in political donations, stating he had already contributed significantly to Trump's campaign, a move that may have displeased Trump.

The Trigger - "Big Beautiful" Bill: On June 3, the conflict became fully public. Musk openly blasted Trump's "Big Beautiful" bill, calling it "disgusting" for increasing national debt. Trump retaliated, accusing Musk of opposing the bill only because it would cut electric vehicle subsidies.

II. All-Out War: From "Spat" to "Nuclear Threat" The dispute quickly escalated from policy debate to personal attacks and business threats:

Musk's "Counterattack": Musk directly denied Trump's accusations and launched a poll on X Platform, asking whether a new political party should be formed for the "middle 80%" of Americans, aiming to pull the rug out from under Trump.

Trump's "Trump Card": Trump threatened to cut off all US government subsidies and contracts with Musk's companies (including Tesla and SpaceX).

"Dirt" and Impeachment: The conflict spiraled out of control! Musk made explosive accusations on X Platform, implying Trump's involvement in the "Epstein case" and openly supporting Trump's impeachment, calling him a "national threat."

Market Shockwaves: When titans clash, mortals suffer. This feud directly led to a 14.3% plunge in Tesla's stock price, and Trump's media company's stock also fell by 8%.

III. Core Points of Contention: Subsidies and National Security Peeling back the layers of mutual attacks, the core of their dispute centers on two major issues:

Electric Vehicle Subsidies: Trump accused Musk of acting for personal gain, but Musk's consistent public stance has been to advocate for the elimination of all government subsidies, whether for electric vehicles or the traditional oil and gas industry. He claims his fundamental opposition to the "Big Beautiful" bill is due to its projected increase in national debt.

The Future of SpaceX: Trump's threat to cut government contracts undoubtedly targets the "lifeline" of Musk's space ventures. Musk responded forcefully, stating he would immediately begin decommissioning the Dragon spacecraft, which is crucial for NASA. Currently, SpaceX handles critical missions like launching military satellites and transporting astronauts to the International Space Station. Cutting these contracts would severely impact NASA and, by extension, US national security.

Conclusion: A War with No Winners

From the current situation, this clash between top "influencers" has far transcended personal grievances. It has not only rattled capital markets but has also put America's space ambitions and national security at risk. It is rumored that Elon and Trump will have a phone call tonight, and we await further developments.