The SpaceX-Trump Showdown: Musk Bluffs, Then Folds on Spacecraft Shutdown Threat
SpaceX Boss Issues Threat to Trump Revealing Epstein Documents, Later Reverses Stance
Elon Musk, the tech maverick known for his Elon-Musk-esque antics, has had a public mêlée with the titan of tweet-politics, President Donald Trump. In a series of X-tweets, Musk vowed to bring his SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to a grinding halt, sending shockwaves through the space community. This announcement came after Trump announced his intention to pull government contracts from Musk's companies. However, a few hours later, a twist of events saw Musk rescind his threat.
Initially, Musk took to X to announce that SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft would "immediately" cease operations, citing Trump's announcement that government contracts for his companies should be terminated. This revelation sparked concerns, as the Dragon spacecraft is the sole provider for NASA astronauts to reach the International Space Station (ISS). The contract is worth approximately $5 billion.
However, after a calming voice on X advised Musk and Trump to "chill and take a few days off," Musk tweeted, "Good advice. Ok, we won't retire Dragon."
This rollercoaster of events left traders with equally unpredictable stock market swings. Tesla's shares plummeted by over 14% in US trading, while Musk's wealth dropped by a staggering $34 billion in a single day, according to Bloomberg estimates.
SpaceX and NASA's Dance with Destiny
As the only U.S. spacecraft capable of ferrying NASA astronauts to the ISS, the Dragon spacecraft plays a critical role in space exploration. Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, intended to compete with Dragon, made its first manned flight but encountered technical issues that forced its crew to stay on the ISS for extended periods. SpaceX then stepped in, rescuing the astronauts and restoring normalcy to space travel.
Elon Musk's SpaceX isn't the only private space company. Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, too, has made forays into space. However, unlike SpaceX, Blue Origin has yet to achieve the same level of success. The void left by the Space Shuttle program's retirement saw the U.S. rely on Russian spacecraft for years until Dragon was ready. Musk's announcement might be a strategic move, considering another announcement by Trump — Jared Isaacman would not be the new NASA chief due to misalignment with Trump's "America First" agenda.
The Tax Man Cometh
The feud between Trump and Musk began over proposed tax and spending legislation, with Musk expressing outrage on X, calling the bill a "disgusting abomination," and stating that he felt ashamed for those who supported it. This conflict highlights the fragile interplay between business, politics, and personal relationships, with the future of significant industries potentially hanging in the balance.
Rumors Swirl: Musk and Epstein
In the afternoon, Musk accused Trump of having ties to Jeffrey Epstein, the notorious sex offender who infamously took his own life in 2019. Musk suggested Trump's connections to the Epstein case were the real reason behind the unpublished Epstein files.
Reports suggest Musk also had associations with Epstein and Epstein's associates. Musk was reportedly photographed at a party with Ghislaine Maxwell, a former partner of Epstein who was convicted for her role in Epstein's sex trafficking ring in 2021. As new details continue to emerge, the intricate web of connections surrounding the Epstein case remains a topic of high interest.
Sources: ntv.de, mau/AFP/dpa
- SpaceX
- ISS
- NASA
- Donald Trump
- Elon Musk
- Jeffrey Epstein
- Ghislaine Maxwell
- Despite the potential implications for the International Space Station (ISS), which relies on SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft as the sole provider for NASA astronauts, Elon Musk announced and then rescinded a threat to halt operations following a dispute with President Donald Trump.
- In the realm of business and finance, Trump's proposed tax and spending legislation was met with criticism from Elon Musk, who expressed outrage on Twitter, with Tesla's shares experiencing a significant drop as a result.
- Beyond the space-and-astronomy and business-politics spheres, reports have emerged suggesting connections between Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Jeffrey Epstein, with Musk allegedly attending a party with Ghislaine Maxwell, a former partner of Epstein who was convicted for her role in Epstein's sex trafficking ring.
