A Tesla car purchased by President Donald Trump remained parked at the White House on Friday morning (June 6) amid reports that the president was considering getting rid of the vehicle following a very public spat with Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
Trump had purchased the red Tesla in a show of support for Musk amid anti-Tesla protests earlier in the year and an accompanying slump in the company’s stock price.
In recent days, Trump and Musk have clashed over a sweeping tax-cut bill, that Musk described as a “disgusting abomination” that would add too much to the nation’s $36.2 trillion in debt.
On Thursday, both men launched a volley of attacks on each other from their respective social media platforms, escalating a feud that is already complicating efforts to pass the spending bill, which is the president’s main demand of the Republican-controlled Congress.
Tesla shares recouped some losses triggered by the spat between both men, although a truce appeared uncertain on Friday as a White House official said the president was not keen on talking to his former ally.
President Donald Trump said on Friday (June 06) that he would look at everything, when asked whether he would consider cutting government contracts held by billionaire Elon Musk, Reuters reports.
After an online feud between the two erupted over Musk’s opposition to Trump’s tax-cut and spending bill, Trump suggested he would terminate government contracts with Musk’s businesses, which include rocket company SpaceX and its satellite unit Starlink.
Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, said that he would do so “if it’s fair for him [Musk] and fair for the country.”
Reports that he planned to speak with Musk were incorrect, Trump said.
“I’m not thinking about Elon,” Trump said. “You know, I just wish him well.”
