Trump–Musk Conflict Threatens US Space Program

The feud between President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has heightened concerns over major cuts to NASA’s budget.

NASA recently submitted a budget request to Congress that proposes nearly halving funding for science projects.

Around 40 missions — either underway or in development — are now facing cancellation.

The situation escalated after Trump threatened to cancel government contracts with Musk's companies.

NASA depends heavily on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets to deliver cargo and crew to the International Space Station (ISS).

It also plans to use the company’s next-generation Starship rocket to return astronauts to the Moon and eventually launch missions to Mars.

Responding on June 5 via X, Musk said, “In light of the President’s statement about cancellation of my government contracts, @SpaceX will begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately.”

Hours later, Musk reversed course after a user advised him to “cool off,” replying, “Good advice. Ok, we won’t decommission Dragon.”

The dispute began on June 3 when Musk criticized a Congressional tax and spending bill, calling it “a disgusting abomination” on X.

By June 5, the feud intensified when Musk accused Trump of being named in unreleased Jeffrey Epstein files.

The White House dismissed the accusation, saying, “This is an unfortunate episode from Elon, who is unhappy with the One Big Beautiful Bill because it does not include the policies he wanted.”

Trump responded on Truth Social: “The easiest way to save money in our Budget… is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts.”

The Dragon spacecraft is vital to NASA’s operations.

It is a reusable vehicle that transports astronauts and supplies to and from Earth orbit.

Without it, the US loses independent access to space.

NASA is also investing $4 billion in SpaceX’s Starship Human Landing System for its 2027 Artemis 3 mission to the Moon.

Canceling these contracts would severely impair NASA’s plans and delay US-led space exploration.

Other firms, like Blue Origin and Boeing, are behind in development.

Boeing’s Starliner capsule remains uncertified and stranded two astronauts on the ISS for nine months last year, who were brought back aboard a SpaceX Dragon.

In April, the US Space Force awarded SpaceX nearly $6 billion in launch contracts, compared to $5.4 billion for United Launch Alliance and $2.4 billion for Blue Origin.

NASA press secretary Bethany Stevens declined to comment on the feud but told Reuters, “We will continue to work with our industry partners to ensure the president's objectives in space are met.”

Deputy administrator Lori Garver said canceling SpaceX’s contracts would likely be illegal and against national interests.

She added, “A rogue CEO threatening to decommission spacecraft, putting astronauts’ lives at risk, is untenable.”

Dr. Simeon Barber of the Open University warned the uncertainty is having “a chilling impact” on human spaceflight.

He said, “The astonishing exchanges, snap decisions and U-turns we’ve witnessed in the last week undermine the very foundations that we build our ambitions on.”

“Space science and exploration rely upon long-term planning and cooperation between government, companies and academic institutions.”