Enterprise Leaders Are Weighing in on the Musk and Trump Breakup

Amid a dramatic falling out between Donald Trump and his “first buddy,” Elon Musk, among the enterprise world’s most influential voices are weighing in.

The connection between the president and his once-close ally imploded on Thursday as they clashed publicly over Trump’s “Large Lovely Invoice.”

Musk, who stepped down from his position at DOGE in Might, took to X to criticize the invoice, calling it the “Debt Slavery Invoice” and the “Large Ugly Spending Invoice.”

In response, Trump fired again at Musk throughout a White Home occasion. He additionally defended the invoice on Reality Social, whereas threatening to cancel Musk’s authorities contracts.

Musk noticed his web value fall by $34 billion on Thursday, per the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Tesla shares have been additionally down by greater than 14%.

Here is what a number of enterprise leaders need to say concerning the row.

Mark Cuban

Amid his feud with Trump, Musk proposed creating a brand new political social gathering for “the center” in a ballot on X.

Mark Cuban appeared to endorse the thought, quoting Musk’s submit and replying with three verify marks.

The previous “Shark Tank” star beforehand mentioned he is “not a fan of both social gathering,” however would run as a Republican if he needed to hitch politics.

Invoice Ackman

Hedge fund billionaire Invoice Ackman voiced his assist for each Trump and Musk on X, calling on the 2 to place apart their variations and “make peace for the good thing about our nation.”

Ackman, who had endorsed Trump for his 2024 presidential bid, wrote: “We’re a lot stronger collectively than aside.”

“You are not improper,” Musk responded.

Paul Graham

Paul Graham, cofounder of the startup accelerator Y Combinator, additionally weighed in on the general public feud between the president and the Tesla CEO.

“Lots of people appear to be treating this as if it have been only a beef. However the underlying allegation is a really severe one. If it is true, Trump is definitely going to need to resign,” he wrote in a submit on X.

Graham didn’t specify what allegation he was referring to.

Hours earlier than Graham made his submit, Musk went on X and accused Trump of withholding details about Jeffrey Epstein.

“Time to drop the actually huge bomb: @realDonaldTrump is within the Epstein recordsdata. That’s the actual purpose they haven’t been made public. Have a pleasant day, DJT!” Musk wrote on X.

Graham advised Musk in February that he ought to work with the federal government “fastidiously” as a result of it is not “only a firm.”

A consultant for Graham didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark from Enterprise Insider.