Register for Slatest To obtain the most insightful analysis, criticism and advice, delivered daily in your reception box.
Last week, when the eruption between Donald Trump and Elon Musk set up new peaks of spade and acrimony, the president was a threat of earth violation to his former friend, Ally and Superdonor. “The easiest way to save money in our budget, billions of dollars”, ” Trump posted On social networks last Thursday, “is to terminate the subsidies and government contracts of Elon.”
Tesla stockThe main source of Musk’s wealth, had almost doubled between June 10, 2024 and June 4, 2025, largely in anticipation of the Boffo company that his association with Trump would bring. On June 5, the day Trump thought about the cancellation of his contracts, he fell by 14%.
However, like a large part of Trump’s boastful, this threat was mainly theatrical. Many musk companies are too vital for the government to be able to cancel. Especially, Spacex Provides launchers for many satellites designed by NASA, the Ministry of Defense and several spy agencies. Since Trump’s statement, officials have started to look for alternative suppliersBut agencies have become too dependent on Musk’s company; It would take several companies for several years to complete the development and construction necessary to take the place of Musk.
However, there is a way for Trump to penalize Musk without damaging agencies that buy his business products. More than that, it is a penalty that Musk deserves by objective measures, apart from the avenging motivations of Trump.
The penalty is as follows: Remove Musk’s safety authorizations.
SpaceX works on many projects where mission and technology are very classified. Without access to these secrets, Musk would not be able to make decisions – or even know the vital details – on these programs. He would therefore no longer have much value as CEO of the company, especially since his talents reside mainly in his engineering prowess. Tesla’s board of directors should probably withdraw it or at least demo it.
For a large part of last year, it seemed about to happen. According to a long and detailed New York Times article In December, Musk’s behavior was revised by at least three federal agencies – NASA, the Inspector General’s Office of the Ministry of Defense and the Defense Under -Secretary office for Intelligence and Security. In addition, the Air Force refused Musk a high -level security authorization associated with one of the programs involving his business.
These examinations concluded that Musk had repeatedly violated federal regulations demanding that the holders of TOP secret authorizations inform the security offices whenever they travel abroad or speak with foreign officials. In the case of Musk, these meetings included conversations with Russian and Chinese officials. Musk was also suspected of drug use– In one of his recent articles on social networks, Trump described it as “big addictive– which, so true, would also have violated the safety rules.
All the surveys were suspended after Trump won the elections and musk became the consigliere of the elected president. Now that the two have fallen, Trump could inform – even silently encourage – the offices relevant to resume their probes. Or it would not even have to be so indirect. The presidents have the power to suspend the security authorization of anyone; Trump has Delivered food For many former occupants, including President Joe Biden, for no reason other than despite. (Such ex -officials have traditionally been authorized to maintain clearances, out of courtesy or to allow rapid consultations if, say, their advice is deemed useful during a crisis.) Trump could remove musk authorizations with a pen – and, in this case, he could cite specific and legitimate reasons to do so.
There are good reasons to think that many executives inside the Tesla Empire would be relieved by its withdrawal. According to The history of Times Regarding security surveys, many complaints concerning Musk’s violations were brought to the government’s attention by Tesla initiates who were concerned about national security or simply experienced an overview that they were required to follow the rules when their boss was not.
During the weekend, during their growing threats and counter-men, Trump warned that Musk would be confronted with “Very serious consequences“If he financed Democratic candidates in the next elections. It is undoubtedly a real concern on the part of Trump. During elections in 2024, Musk gave $ 291 million – more than any other donor– Republican candidates. * In a tweet last Thursday, Musk boasted“Without me, Trump would have lost the elections, the DEMS would control the room and the Republicans are 51 to 49 years old in the Senate.” He may be right; Trump is very eager to prevent Musk from making similar favors for Democrats.
This tweet probably pushed Trump to warn of “very serious consequences”. Trump did not specify what would be the consequences, but Musk must realize that the loss of his authorizations – and therefore, perhaps, the control of his business – may be among them. If this is the case, this could be the way Trump prevented musk from intensifying the slugfest further away.
Correction, June 10, 2025: This article initially disturbed that Musk donated $ 291 billion in the 2024 elections. It was $ 291 million.
