#CryptoSecurity101

Trump posted a threat on his social media platform saying: "The easiest way to save money in our budget, billions and billions of dollars, is to end government support for Elon and his contracts".

And if Trump directs government agencies against Musk, the tech billionaire will feel the pain. Tesla's stock price dropped by 14 percent on Thursday.

But Musk also has almost limitless resources to retaliate, including funding his rebellious rivals against the Republicans in next year's elections and primaries. He may not win a battle against the entire Trump administration, but he could impose a heavy political cost on him.

Musk wrote on X: "Trump has three and a half years left in the presidency, but I will be here for over 40 years."