FOLLOW US

The once-rosy relationship between Donald Trump and Elon Musk has taken a sharp turn, igniting what many are calling a high-stakes “Bromance Breakup” with potential consequences for U.S. national security. 

Trump has threatened to cancel billions in government contracts with SpaceX, sparking concerns that the U.S. may once again become dependent on Russia for space launches and access to the International Space Station (ISS).

“SpaceX is not like the appendix but a vital organ in everything the United States is doing in space,” said Clayton Swope, deputy director at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, in an interview with Newsweek.

How the Feud Started

The bromance began when Musk contributed millions to Trump’s campaign and ended after Musk stepped down from leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Musk was critical of the One Big Beautiful Bill, a Trump-backed spending bill. He fought it on X. Trump fired back on Truth Social, threatening to axe Musk’s subsidies and contracts, for SpaceX, Starlink, and Tesla.

“The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon's Governmental Subsidies and Contracts."

The bill passed the House. And is now in the Senate voting stage. To become law he bill must pass both chambers.

The tension escalated when Musk alluded to Trump's alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein, fueling a bitter online war of words that drew national attention.

Musk, once a Trump ally, has distanced himself politically in recent months and even floated the idea of a new political party, saying on X, “Is it time to create a new political party?”

More on the political rift: ABC News | BBC

Why SpaceX Is Crucial to the U.S.

Since 2015, SpaceX has received more than $13 billion in NASA contracts, making it a cornerstone of America’s space strategy.

The company handles over 90% of U.S. satellite launches and is currently the only provider capable of crewed missions to the ISS through its Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon capsule.

“There is no alternative to the F9-Dragon combination at present. He would be stranding astronauts on the ISS unless he wants to go hat in hand to the Russians,” said Scott Hubbard, former director of NASA’s Ames Research Center.

After the retirement of the Space Shuttle, NASA paid Russia to send astronauts via its Soyuz spacecraft—a costly and geopolitically tense solution. Experts warn that cancelling SpaceX’s contracts could force the U.S. back into that position.

“It would be a significant blow to U.S. national security interests,” said Benjamin Schmitt, senior fellow at the University of Pennsylvania.

National Security Implications

The stakes go beyond science. The Department of Defense depends on SpaceX for GPS, military coordination, and intelligence satellites. Losing this capability, even temporarily, could cripple communications and navigation systems during a conflict.

“Space is getting militarized. There are both offensive and defensive weapons that could be put into space,” said Darrell West of the Brookings Institution.

With Russia building its own station, the Russian Orbital Service Station (ROSS), set to begin construction in 2027, any shift in space partnerships could bolster Moscow's strategic position.

Are There Alternatives?

Other companies like Blue Origin and Boeing exist, but they lack the infrastructure and launch cadence of SpaceX.

“U.S. reliance on SpaceX is not borne of favoritism but of necessity and efficiency,” said Michelle Hanlon, executive director at the University of Mississippi’s Center for Air and Space Law.

Replacing SpaceX would take years and could delay critical missions, including the proposed Golden Dome lunar initiative.

What’s Next?

Despite Trump’s threats, most experts believe a full cancellation of SpaceX contracts is unlikely due to the strategic risks and lack of alternatives. However, the political feud has raised questions about how much influence private companies should have in areas vital to national security.

“There’s a lot riding on this relationship,” West emphasized. “People are worried that if there is a major war, adversaries could shoot down our satellites and destroy our GPS systems and mobile communications.”

For now, the world watches as the Trump-Musk feud unfolds—not just a political drama, but one with global security implications.