Undoubtedly, this is the most sensational and spectacular breakup drama of all time across the globe.
After all, one is the president of the world’s only superpower, Donald Trump, and the other is Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, now entering the second round of their breakup drama.
The first round was characterized by Musk’s outbursts, exposing Trump’s scandals, and Trump’s threats to retaliate. Both sides engaged in a fierce battle, seemingly ready to go to war over it. Eventually, everyone called for peace, Musk gave in, and they ended their phone call.
After a brief pause, the firefight resumed.
Clearly, Musk still couldn’t forgive Trump for pushing through the “Bigger is Better” bill.
In his view, what “Bigger is Better” is nothing but “crazy spending,” aiming to bankrupt America completely.
On June 30th, Musk publicly issued a warning:
“Every Congressman who advocated for cutting government spending during the campaign and immediately voted for the biggest debt increase in history should feel ashamed. And even if this is my last act on this planet, I will make sure you lose in the next presidential election.”
This was not just a warning but also a threat.
He even targeted two American lawmakers, saying:
“If you vote for a ‘Debt Slavery Act’ that includes the largest debt ceiling increase in history, what right do you have to claim yourself as a ‘Freedom Caucus’?”
Perhaps not receiving a positive response, Musk then launched into a full-blown attack, lashing out:
“It’s obvious… we live in a one-party system—the ‘Pig Party’ (a reference to the Republican Party!) It’s time for a new party that truly cares about the people.”
This was an open threat to form a new party, directly opposing Trump!
Imagine if the United States had been a two-party system; if Musk really created a new party, splitting the three-way power structure, Democrats would remain Democrats, Republicans would be divided into two halves, effectively undermining Trump’s position.
“Elon Musk’s subsidies could far exceed any in history. Without these subsidies, he might have had to shut down and return to his homeland in South Africa. Without rocket launches, satellite production, or electric vehicle manufacturing, our country could save a significant amount of money. Perhaps we should let DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) carefully review this matter? It could save us a lot of money!!!”
On July 1st, Trump left the White House and visited “Crocodile Island”, Florida. Before boarding the helicopter, he asked if Musk would be expelled from the country.
“I don’t know,” Trump replied, “I need to think about it.”
“We might have to use DOGE to deal with Musk. Do you know what DOGE is? DOGE is that monster that might have to turn back and eat Elon Musk. Isn’t it terrifying?”
Trump’s threat was also quite direct.
1. Musk, keep your mouth shut or I will send you back to South Africa.
2. If you get upset, it’s because I cancelled your subsidy.
3. DOGE, we should really investigate Musk.
It’s worth noting that DOGE was originally established by Musk himself. Now having DOGE investigating Musk is like slapping Musk in the face, a version of “bait and switch” in America!
Musk clearly isn’t easily cowed.
In response to Trump’s question about subsidies, he immediately responded:
“Cut everything out now.”
Regarding the threat of deportation, he challenged on social media:
“I really want to go further, too much so, but for now I must restrain myself.”
So, let’s see how it plays out.
The greatest friendship has turned into the most entertaining farce.
The good news is, both are well-informed and haven’t escalated to the personal attacks of the last time; the bad news is, both are impulsive personalities, and with the conflict intensifying, there could be explosive news at any moment.
Firstly, Musk has perceived a profound crisis.
Spend money freely, spending money endlessly is the current state of the US government.
However, this conceals a massive crisis.
Musk has perceived this crisis and joined Trump’s administration to slash expenses drastically; now, he is willing to part ways with Trump openly warning.
I see that he has reposted his previous warning,
“The US is rapidly insolvent, everyone is quietly heading towards the grave,”
because it’s simple: the annual interest payments on the US national debt exceed the entire budget of the Department of Defense, how sustainable is this?
Milton Friedman’s warning:
“History shows that governments will spend all the benefits brought by the tax system, plus what they can afford to spend, but now the size of the government is too large.”
The great US is on the verge of bankruptcy, which is the source of Musk’s anxiety.
Secondly, the demise of an idealist.
Musk has many flaws, arrogance, love for show, and poor relationships with people around him, and he enjoys childbirth without scruples; however, his strengths are also evident, wealth, willingness to spend, courage to innovate, and more importantly, he is an idealist.
He was born in South Africa, naturally, now he is American, but he seems even more fond of America than most Americans, and more worried about the future of America than most Americans.
He was once a close friend of Trump, a major investor, a key figure in Trump’s ascent to the presidency, and at one point, the most trusted left arm of Trump.
But Trump is still Trump, Trump claims to change America, to make America great again, but Trump must face political reality, integrate into Washington’s clique culture, then he must pay, pay, pay in various ways.
This is a conflict between an idealist and a real-world political figure in America.
Musk’s ideals should have been shattered by American politics.
Thirdly, there’s still more to come.
After parting ways, each one finds their own happiness, which seems unattainable now.
From now on, Xiao Tian Tian will be a thing of the past, and Niu Fu’er will also cease to exist; they are like adversaries, not excluding the possibility of a bloody struggle.
Trump is very strong-willed, and Musk is equally so. Sometimes, when two powerful individuals join forces, they can indeed achieve great things; but more often, these two strong people tend to part ways, even becoming enemies.
The second round is still ongoing, and it’s not ruled out that there will be a third or fourth round.
These two figures, who have dominated the scene, are experiencing a super-divorce drama.
Moreover, it’s worth noting that these two are world-class internet celebrities with millions of followers. We are witnessing a century-old divorce in the era of new media, with its highs and lows, making for an exciting spectacle.
Let’s get it done, let’s just keep going.
Right, if Trump really takes drastic measures, and if Musk is truly expelled, where would he go?