An escalating feud between Elon Musk and Donald Trump threatens to disrupt key U.S. space programs and jeopardize $22 billion in government contracts with SpaceX.
A public clash between SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and U.S. President Donald Trump has raised alarms in Washington and beyond, as political tensions risk spilling into the future of American space exploration.
The fallout began after Musk sharply criticized Trump’s tax and spending proposals, prompting a combative response from Trump during Oval Office remarks. What followed was a volley of attacks on social media, culminating in Trump threatening to revoke federal contracts held by Musk’s companies. In retaliation, Musk said he would begin decommissioning the Dragon spacecraft - SpaceX’s crew vehicle used by NASA.
Though Musk later walked back that statement, calling it “good advice” to cool off, his initial threat sent shockwaves through the aerospace industry. The Dragon capsule is central to U.S. crewed spaceflight under a $5 billion NASA contract and currently serves as the only American vehicle transporting astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS).
SpaceX holds approximately $22 billion in government contracts, including missions with both NASA and the Pentagon. The prospect of politically motivated cancellations could seriously undermine U.S. space ambitions, experts warn.
The spat has also fractured a once-cozy relationship between Musk and Trump, which had previously led to favorable policy shifts for SpaceX - ranging from Mars mission proposals to expanded military launch access.
NASA declined to comment directly on the matter. Spokesperson Bethany Stevens stated only that the agency would “continue to work with our industry partners to ensure the president’s objectives in space are met.”
If SpaceX were to pull the Dragon from service, it could disrupt international collaboration aboard the ISS, a cornerstone of space diplomacy.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday, 14 June about efforts to end Russia's war in Ukrai...
At least six Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes and gunfire across the Gaza Strip on Sunday, 14 June, according to local health officials, as...
Iran's national team received an emotional send-off from supporters in Tijuana on Sunday,14 June as they departed for Los Angeles ahead of their Worl...
All 12 people on board a plane that crashed near Butler Memorial Airport in the U.S. state of Missouri have died, according to local authorities....
Senior officials from Azerbaijan and Armenia held a working meeting in Dilijan, Armenia, on 14 June to discuss issues related to the peace agenda betw...
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday, 14 June about efforts to end Russia's war in Ukraine, as world leaders prepare to gather for the G7 summit in France.
At least six Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes and gunfire across the Gaza Strip on Sunday, 14 June, according to local health officials, as mediators intensified efforts to keep fragile ceasefire negotiations alive.
Iran's national team received an emotional send-off from supporters in Tijuana on Sunday,14 June as they departed for Los Angeles ahead of their World Cup opener against New Zealand.
All 12 people on board a plane that crashed near Butler Memorial Airport in the U.S. state of Missouri have died, according to local authorities.
Pakistan has warned that any attempt by India to block or significantly reduce river flows under the Indus Waters Treaty could have “far-reaching consequences”, after India's water minister said New Delhi was working to ensure that “not a single drop” of water reaches Pakistan in the coming years.
Armenia has every right to choose Europe. But Europe’s support for Armenia’s direction should not become automatic approval of its political process.
The U.S. and Iran say they have reached a deal to end their conflict, with an immediate ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz after the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade. Talks will continue over the next 60 days to finalise the agreement
Details of a reported draft memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran offer the clearest picture yet of how both sides plan to end months of conflict and move towards a longer-term settlement.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said a peace agreement with Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday in a post on social media, despite Tehran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei saying no deal would be approved this weekend.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday, 14 June about efforts to end Russia's war in Ukraine, as world leaders prepare to gather for the G7 summit in France.
All 12 people on board a plane that crashed near Butler Memorial Airport in the U.S. state of Missouri have died, according to local authorities.
Thousands of people took to the streets of Geneva on Sunday, 14 June ahead of this week's G7 summit in neighbouring France, but a largely peaceful demonstration later descended into clashes with police.
Veteran U.S. politician Mitch McConnell has been admitted to hospital in Washington, DC, according to his office.
British anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson said he was detained by police at Heathrow Airport on Saturday, 13 June and had his mobile phone seized, days after posting extensively online about racist and anti-immigrant unrest in Northern Ireland.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment