Trump Criticizes Elon Musk’s Political Shift and Questions His NASA Influence
President Donald Trump, who returned to office in January 2025, has taken a sharp jab at Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, suggesting that the billionaire has “gone off the rails” in recent weeks. In a Truth Social post on July 7, Trump openly criticized Musk’s recent political maneuvers—including a rumored effort to launch a third political party—and raised concerns over what he calls an “inappropriate” attempt by Musk to influence leadership at NASA.
“A Train Wreck” of Political Ambition?
Trump’s post comes amid swirling speculation that Musk may be exploring the launch of an alternative political party—one that could disrupt the traditional two-party system. Trump dismissed the idea as a recipe for “disruption and chaos,” claiming that such efforts have “never succeeded in the United States.” Political historians might agree: third parties have historically struggled to gain traction at the national level, with notable exceptions like Theodore Roosevelt’s 1912 Bull Moose campaign serving as rare outliers.
Whether Musk is genuinely forming a party or simply floating trial balloons remains unclear. But Trump appears eager to quash any such efforts, perhaps viewing them as a threat to Republican unity heading into the 2026 midterms.
EV Mandate Repealed — And the Fallout Begins
At the heart of Trump’s criticism is the recent repeal of the federal Electric Vehicle (EV) mandate, a policy that had required automakers to transition toward all-electric fleets over the next decade. Trump called it “ridiculous,” insisting that Americans should be free to choose between gas-powered vehicles, hybrids, or other new technologies. The rollback was embedded in what Trump hailed as the “biggest bill of its kind”—a sprawling package that, among other things, stripped funding from federal EV incentives.
Musk, whose Tesla empire has been built on the success of EVs and generous government subsidies, now finds himself at odds with a President he once endorsed. In fact, Trump revealed he was surprised Musk supported him at all, given his longstanding opposition to mandates.
Questions Over NASA Appointments
Perhaps the most eyebrow-raising part of Trump’s post involves Musk’s alleged attempt to place a close friend—described by Trump as “a blue-blooded Democrat”—in charge of NASA. The friend’s identity wasn’t disclosed, but Trump expressed concern that the appointment would create a conflict of interest, given that NASA is a major contractor with SpaceX. It’s worth noting that NASA and SpaceX have worked together extensively in recent years, particularly on commercial spaceflight missions.
“To be honest, this reminds me of the blurred lines we’ve seen before between government and industry,” one former NASA official, speaking anonymously, said in a phone interview.
What Comes Next?
The breakdown between Trump and Musk—once allies of convenience—signals a broader ideological divide taking shape within conservative ranks. Trump is doubling down on populist, consumer-choice messaging, while Musk, increasingly unpredictable, seems to be carving his own path, whatever it might lead to.
Whether that path leads to political relevance or further alienation from Washington remains to be seen. But one thing’s certain: this rift isn’t just about EVs. It’s about power, legacy, and who gets to shape America’s future.
