#TrumpVsMusk The feud between Donald Trump and Elon Musk has escalated, with both billionaires exchanging blows on social media. Here's what's at stake:
*Key Players and Their Leverage:*
- *Elon Musk*: As the world's richest man, Musk has significant financial influence, with the ability to fund campaigns against Trump or support fiscally conservative lawmakers. He also controls X, a social media platform with over 220 million followers, which could be used to air grievances against Trump.
- *Donald Trump*: As the US President, Trump has the power to cancel government contracts with Musk's companies, including SpaceX and Tesla, potentially costing Musk billions of dollars.
*Potential Consequences:*
- *Financial Impact*: Tesla's stock price plummeted 14% after the feud, wiping out $150 billion in market value. Musk's personal net worth also took a hit, falling by $34 billion.
- *Government Contracts*: Trump's threat to cancel contracts could significantly impact Musk's businesses, with SpaceX's government contracts potentially worth $22 billion at risk.
- *Reputation and Support*: Musk may lose conservative supporters, while Trump's reputation could be damaged if Musk reveals sensitive information from their time together in the White House.
*What's Next?*
The feud is expected to continue, with both sides potentially using their resources to attack each other. Musk has called for Trump's impeachment and even suggested creating a new political party.¹