President Donald Trump’s latest salvo against Elon Musk threatens to upend billions in government contracts, as Just the News reports. The feud, sparked by Musk’s cozy ties with China and his criticism of Trump’s policies, has escalated into a public brawl with national security implications. This isn’t just a billionaire spat -- it’s a clash over power, influence, and America’s future.
Trump has accused Musk of being “susceptible” to Chinese influence due to Tesla’s massive investments in Shanghai, while Musk has slammed Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” as a job-killing disaster. Nine years ago, Musk praised the Chinese Communist Party’s economic feats, and his recent tweets laud China’s dominance in electric vehicles and solar power. Meanwhile, SpaceX, Musk’s rocket juggernaut, relies on Pentagon and NASA contracts worth billions.
In 2018, Musk signed a $7 billion deal for Tesla’s Shanghai Gigafactory, securing $521 million in Chinese bank loans and a sweetheart 15% tax rate. “China rocks,” Musk gushed, praising its “smart, hardworking” people while calling Americans complacent. His words now haunt him as Trump questions his loyalty.
Tesla’s Shanghai plant churns out over 950,000 vehicles annually, with China accounting for $20.944 billion of Tesla’s 2024 revenue. In 2019, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang called Musk an “old friend” and took a Tesla for a spin. Such chumminess raises eyebrows when Musk’s SpaceX holds a $1.8 billion contract for a secret Pentagon satellite network.
By 2021, China restricted Tesla vehicles for its military, citing security risks, yet Musk doubled down, opening a Xinjiang showroom despite U.S. genocide allegations. “Tesla China rocks!” he tweeted, seemingly blind to the geopolitical tightrope. Trump’s not buying the patriotism act.
Last year, Musk predicted China’s economy could dwarf America’s by two to three times, citing population and GDP trends. He’s tweeted that China’s solar power could outstrip all U.S. electricity in a few years. These aren’t the musings of a man prioritizing American interests.
In March, Trump first flagged Musk’s China ties, warning he “might be susceptible” to influence. Musk fired back, calling Trump’s bill fiscally reckless and a threat to “millions of jobs.” The bill, which ends electric vehicle mandates, passed in the Senate on Tuesday with Vice President JD Vance breaking the tie.
Trump claims Musk opposes the bill for personal gain, tweeting, “Electric cars are fine, but not everyone should be forced to own one.” Musk’s retort? The bill “gives handouts to industries of the past” while gutting future-focused sectors.
The feud boiled over when Trump mused about deporting Musk, saying, “I don’t know, I think we’ll have to take a look.” He’s also threatened to sic DOGE -- a cost-cutting initiative—on Musk’s contracts. “BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!” Trump crowed on Truth Social.
SpaceX, in which Musk owns 42% to 54% equity, has pocketed over $13 billion from NASA since 2015 and billions more from Pentagon spy agencies. Reuters warns that $22 billion in contracts could vanish if Trump pulls the plug. That’s a gut punch to Musk’s empire and America’s space ambitions.
The Pentagon’s reliance on SpaceX for satellite launches and astronaut missions makes Trump’s threat a high-stakes gamble. The New York Times reported SpaceX’s Starshield is building a $1.8 billion secret satellite network to counter China. Irony alert: Musk’s China ties could jeopardize the very contracts meant to check Beijing.
Musk’s security clearance is another flashpoint. In 2018, SpaceX sought a top-secret clearance for him, but federal agencies dawdled, citing his China dealings. The Defense Department’s ongoing probes into Musk’s compliance with secrecy protocols add fuel to Trump’s fire.
Musk’s foreign policy musings haven’t helped his case. Eight years ago, he suggested Taiwan become a “special administrative region” of China, a stance Beijing cheered. Last year, he called Taiwan an “integral part” of China, comparing it to Hawaii, prompting Taiwan’s ambassador to slap back: “Our freedom and democracy are not for sale.”
In March, a New York Times report claimed the Pentagon briefed Musk on China war plans, which both Trump and Musk trashed as “fake news.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth clarified it was about “innovation,” not war. Still, the optics of Musk hobnobbing with Pentagon brass while tweeting China’s praises are dreadful.
Trump’s threat to yank Musk’s contracts is a warning shot to globalist tycoons: put America first or pay the price. Musk’s China love affair, from Tesla’s Shanghai cash cow to his Taiwan gaffes, hands Trump ample ammo. This feud could reshape industries, national security, and the MAGA agenda.
