From barbs to blows? 6 ways Trump can harm Musk

US President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, once allies and friends, have turned enemies with last night’s public feud on social media in which they targeted each other with brutal barbs. What began with Musk’s criticism of the government’s new tax bill turned an ugly slanging match. Trump claimed he had cut Musk out of key EV policy decisions and stripped him of influence in Washington. In a post on his own platform X, Musk wrote, “Time to drop the really big bomb: @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!”

Musk’s Epstein comment seems to be a point of no return for friends-turned-foes even though several MAGA figures have asked them to patch up. If reconciliation fails, there could be a long-drawn gladiatorial match between the two most popular conservative figures in the US. While Musk can erode a large part of Trump’s MAGA base which believes in spending cuts and appreciates Musk’s innovative DOGE work, Trump can harm Musk’s several businesses. As the Musk-Trump online feud escalated yesterday, Trump threatened Musk on social media: “The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts. I was always surprised that Biden didn’t do it!” Trump posted on social media Thursday.

However, a bigger harm Trump can do to Musk is through government regulation of his various businesses. The risk US regulators will take aim at Musk’s many businesses became a real threat after the billionaire’s deep political ties with Trump disintegrated on Thursday, Reuters reported.

Below is a list of six US regulators who oversee Musk’s companies, including automaker Tesla, rocket and satellite company SpaceX, brain implant company Neuralink, social media platform X and construction firm The Boring Company:

Federal Communications Commission

The Federal Communications Commission in April voted to open a review of the decades-old spectrum sharing regime between satellite systems sought by SpaceX. SpaceX wants access to new spectrum from the FCC in the coming years to speed deployment of satellite-based internet service. The review by the US telecom regulator aims to allow a greater and more intensive use of spectrum for space activities. Existing reductions approved in the 1990s limit power usage that prevent better coverage from SpaceX’s Starlink and other systems.

Food and Drug Administration

The FDA oversees the clinical trials for Neuralink, Musk’s brain implant company, deciding whether such trials can take place and whether Neuralink can eventually sell its device to consumers. The agency already approved such trials in the U.S. Neuralink has also been pursuing clinical trials outside the US, including in Canada. The FDA had initially rejected Neuralink’s request to start clinical trials, citing safety risks, Reuters reported in 2023. The agency has since given the startup approval to do clinical trials, which are ongoing.

Environmental Protection Agency

SpaceX faces environmental regulations from the EPA, which oversees the company’s wastewater discharges at its operating site in Texas. The company’s operations are also subject to environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act, with several agencies including the Fish and Wildlife Service required to analyze the impact of the company’s rocket launches and landings on land, water and wildlife.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Tesla faces ongoing oversight from US auto safety investigators about the safety of its vehicles especially when using advanced driver assistance systems. Last month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration asked Tesla to answer questions on its plans to launch a paid robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, in June, in order to assess how the electric vehicle maker’s cars with full self-driving technology will perform in poor weather.

NHTSA has been investigating Tesla’s full self-driving collisions in reduced roadway visibility conditions since October. The agency said it is seeking additional information about Tesla’s development of robotaxis “to assess the ability of Tesla’s system to react appropriately to reduced roadway visibility conditions” as well details on robotaxi deployment plans and the technology being used.

Federal Aviation Administration

In September, the FAA proposed a $633,000 fine against SpaceX for failing to follow license requirements in 2023 before two launches. That investigation remains open. The FAA could also impose new restrictions or additional scrutiny after a series of explosions of SpaceX launches.

Securities and Exchange Commission

Musk is embroiled in litigation with the SEC over his 2022 takeover of Twitter, with Musk now due to respond to those allegations next month.

(With agency inputs)