Deleted Musk's impeachment post, but...Trump: "It's over with him"

U.S. President Donald Trump warned that his relationship with Elon Musk, Tesla CEO, is over and that if Musk supports opposition lawmakers there will be "very serious consequences".

On the 7th (local time), President Trump responded "No" when asked during a phone interview with NBC News if he wanted to repair his damaged relationship with Musk. He firmly answered "Yes" when asked if his relationship with Musk was over.

Asked if he planned to speak with Musk, he said, "I'm too busy and not willing to talk to him," adding, "He was rude about the presidency, and I think that's a very bad thing."

He further warned that if Musk supports Democratic candidates to unseat Republican lawmakers who support his tax cut bill, Musk would have to face "very serious consequences."

He stated, "The Republican party is more united than it was three days ago (before the dispute with Musk)," claiming, "It's a shame that he is disappointed and upset about (the bill)."

Regarding whether he would cancel contracts between the federal government and companies like SpaceX, which is owned by Musk, Trump said, "I have that authority, but I've never considered it."

Previously, Musk had posted that former billionaire sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's 'file' mentioned President Trump. On X, he wrote, "Time to drop the big bomb. Trump is (named) in the 'Epstein file,' and that's the real reason it isn't being released."

As controversy grew, Musk deleted the relevant post. Another post, in which Musk replied "Yes" to a user suggesting "Impeach Trump and replace him with Vice President J.D. Vance," has now also been removed.

President Trump dismissed the suspicion raised by Musk about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, saying, "Even Epstein's lawyer said I had nothing to do with (Epstein's crimes)."

Se-Sung Oh, Hankyung.com reporter sesung@hankyung.com