SpaceX tycoon Musk issues threats towards Trump utilizing SpaceX data and Epstein documents, only to surface anew.
In a heated spat between tech mogul Elon Musk and US President Donald Trump, Musk initially threatened to pull the plug on SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, a key player in US space travel. However, a change of heart hours later saw him retracting the decision.
Musk's public threat came in response to Trump's statement suggesting the cancellation of government contracts for Musk-led businesses. The Dragon spacecraft, currently the only US spacecraft ferrying NASA astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS), has a contract worth around $5 billion.
In a dramatic turn of events, Musk later tweeted, "Good advice. Ok, we won't retire Dragon." His decision follows advice from a follower suggesting both parties should take a breather.
Rollercoaster Stock Market
The feud between Trump and Musk sent Tesla shares tumbling, with the stock losing more than 14% in US trading. As a result, Musk's fortune plummeted by nearly $34 billion in a single day, dropping to roughly $335 billion.
Dragon: Indispensable for NASA and ISS
The Dragon spacecraft plays a crucial role in NASA's mission to the ISS. Despite Boeing's Starliner spacecraft being in development, it's yet to make a marked impact. During its first crewed flight, technical issues led to a lengthy stay for the astronauts on the ISS before they could return using a SpaceX capsule.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos's space company, Blue Origin, has made brief forays into space, but it remains a distant competitor. With the end of the Space Shuttle program, the US was heavily reliant on Russian spacecraft until the Dragon made its debut. Musk's announcement could be an indication of countermeasures in light of another Trump declaration: the scrapping of Jared Isaacman, a Musk ally, as the potential new NASA chief due to misalignment with the "America First" agenda.
Musk and Trump's Troubled History
Recent days have seen a break between Trump and his former advisor, Musk, who has been relentless in his criticisms of Trump's desired tax law, which stands to significantly hike the US debt. Trump retaliated, labeling Musk "crazy," and threatened to withdraw government contracts from Musk's businesses.
Epstein's Files and Musk's Conspiracy
In a surprise move, Musk attacked Trump over his association with the late Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. Musk insinuated that Trump's involvement in the Epstein case is the reason behind the suppression of certain files related to the case. Epstein, a former powerful investor, was accused of sexually abusing and trafficking underage girls and young women for years. Trump and Epstein were known associates. Musk is also reported to have had ties with Epstein and his associates according to media reports.
I'm not going to be a big fan of the idea of a "space race" between business competitors in the realm of science, finance, and space-and-astronomy, especially when politics and general news make it seem like a complicated battlefield. The recent spat between Elon Musk and Donald Trump, concerning SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft and potential government contracts, serves as a prime example.
The role of the Dragon spacecraft in NASA's mission to the International Space Station (ISS) is indispensable, as evidenced by its current contract worth around $5 billion. Competitors such as Amazon's Jeff Bezos's space company, Blue Origin, or Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, while making brief forays into space, have yet to make a marked impact.
Musk's decision to retract his threat to retire the Dragon spacecraft can be seen as a response to more than just Trump's actions; it may also be a reaction to the rollercoaster stock market that followed the feud between these two influential figures, affecting the financial standing of both parties significantly.
