Deleted post urging Musk’s impeachment... Trump: "It’s over with him"

U.S. President Donald Trump warned that his relationship with Tesla CEO Elon Musk was over and that Musk would face "very serious consequences" if he supported opposition party lawmakers.

On the 7th (local time), in a telephone interview with NBC News, when asked whether he wanted to restore his damaged relationship with Musk, President Trump replied, "No." When asked if their relationship was over, he stated firmly, "Yes."

When asked if he had plans to speak with Musk, he said, "I’m too busy and have no intention of talking to him," adding, "He was rude about the presidency. I think that was a very bad thing."

He further warned that if Musk supports Democratic candidates to unseat Republican lawmakers who back Trump’s tax cut legislation, "he will have to endure very serious consequences."

He claimed, "The Republican Party is more united than three days ago (before falling out with Musk)," and said, "It’s a shame that he is discouraged and upset over (the bill)."

Regarding whether he would cancel contracts between Musk-owned companies such as SpaceX and the federal government, Trump said, "I have the authority to do so, but I have never considered it."

Previously, Musk posted an article alleging that President Trump was mentioned in the "files" of the late billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, who was convicted of sex crimes involving minors. On X, Musk wrote, "It’s time to drop the big bomb. Trump is in the ‘Epstein files’ and this is the real reason they won’t release the files."

Amid controversy, Musk has since deleted the post in question. The post in which Musk responded "yes" to a user suggesting "impeach Trump and replace him with Vice President J.D. Vance" has also been removed.

President Trump dismissed the suspicions Musk raised regarding his alleged ties with Jeffrey Epstein, stating "Even Epstein’s lawyer said I had nothing to do with (Epstein’s crimes)."

Sesung Oh, Hankyung Dotcom journalist sesung@hankyung.com