78 billion and billions of dollars, is the end of government support for Elon and his contracts.

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 respond, including funding his rebellious rivals against the Republicans in next year's elections and the primaries. He may not win a battle against the entire Trump administration, but he could exact a heavy political price.

Musk wrote on X: "Trump has three and a half years left in the presidency, but I will remain.