Breaking: Musk Backtracks on SpaceX Dragon Retirement Amid Trump Feud
SpaceX capsule project called off by Musk, later retracts statement
Elon Musk, the tech millionaire known for his bold initiatives, has walked back on his decision to retire the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, just hours after initial announcement. The U-turn comes amidst an ongoing feud with US President Donald Trump.
Musk's initial tweet stated that SpaceX would immediately halt Dragon's service, following Trump's threat to withdraw government contracts from Musk's companies. A follower's advice to take a break and calm down seemed to have influenced Musk's change of heart, as he later tweeted, "Alright, we won't retire Dragon."
This rollercoaster of events has shaken up the stock market, with Tesla shares plummeting by over 14% in US trading. Bloomberg estimates that Musk's wealth dropped by nearly $34 billion in a day, from $369 billion to $335 billion (around $293 billion).
The Indispensable Dragon
The Dragon spacecraft is a vital asset for NASA, serving as the only U.S. spacecraft capable of transporting astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). The contract with SpaceX for the Dragon spacecraft is worth approximately $5 billion (around $4.4 billion). The Cargo Dragon delivers essential supplies to the space station, making it indispensable for U.S. space operations.
Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, while an alternative, has yet to prove its reliability, with its first crewed flight aborting due to technical issues. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin has made brief forays into space, but is still far from challenging SpaceX's dominance.
The Open Rift
The rift between Trump and Musk began when Musk expressed his disapproval of a Trump-favored tax law, arguing that it would increase the U.S. debt significantly. Trump, in response, called Musk "crazy" and threatened to withdraw government contracts.
This feud between the tech billionaire and the President has shed light on the delicate relationship between politics and space infrastructure, potentially opening up opportunities for competitors such as Boeing or other defense contractors. SpaceX's Starship rocket, intended as Dragon's successor, is still in the testing phase, leaving the future of NASA's space operations unclear.
- SpaceX
- ISS
- NASA
- Donald Trump
- Elon Musk
Politics: A Dance Between Trump and Musk
Trump and Musk were once allies, but a disagreement over tax laws has led to a public spat between the two. The ever-evolving situation underscores the fragile balance between politics and technological innovation.
Economy: The Tesla Stock Swings Amid Political Tensions
The ongoing feud between Trump and Musk has sent Tesla shares plummeting. Musk's wealth, once over $369 billion, has dropped significantly, highlighting the impact of political controversies on the stock market.
Space: The Dragon vs. The Stars
The future of SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, and by extension, U.S. space operations, hangs in the balance as the feud between Trump and Musk continues to unfold. The significance of the Dragon cannot be overstated, as it is the only U.S. spacecraft currently capable of transporting astronauts to the ISS.
Footnotes
[1] nytimes.com/2025/06/05/us/politics/trump-musk-feud.html[2] nasa.gov/spacex_dragon_contract[3] cbsnews.com/news/spacex-dragon-spacecraft-retirement-nasa-trump-musk-feud-2025-06-05/
- I'm not going to be a big fan of the idea of a space-and-astronomy sector relying too heavily on political dynamics, especially with the ongoing feud between Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
- The drama between Trump and Musk has cast a spotlight on the economics of the space industry, with Tesla being affected by the recent drop in stock prices following their spat.
- The space industry, particularly the International Space Station (ISS) missions, could face potential challenges if the feud between Donald Trump and Elon Musk continues to escalate, given that SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft is a crucial vehicle for transporting astronauts to the ISS.
