WASHINGTON, June 8, (V7N) - US President Donald Trump today threatened former advisor Elon Musk with "serious consequences" if the tech billionaire attempts to penalize Republicans who vote for a contentious spending bill.

Trump's remarks to NBC News follow a dramatic and bitter deterioration in the relationship between the two powerful figures this week. The public feud, largely unfolding on social media on Thursday, was ignited by Musk's strong criticism of Trump's "big, beautiful" spending bill, which is currently before Congress.

Some lawmakers opposing the bill had urged Musk, a significant financial contributor to the Republican Party in last year's presidential election, to fund primary challenges against Republicans who support the legislation.

"He'll have to pay very serious consequences if he does that," Trump told NBC News, without specifying the nature of these consequences. He also stated he had "no" desire to mend his relationship with the South African-born Tesla and SpaceX chief and had "no intention of speaking to him."Just last week, Trump had praised Musk as he departed his cost-cutting role at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). However, their relationship fractured within days when Musk described the spending bill, potentially defining Trump's second term, as an "abomination." Trump retaliated with an Oval Office diatribe, escalating the public dispute that has stunned Washington.

Despite the political and economic risks of their fallout, both individuals appeared to de-escalate on Friday, with Trump telling reporters "I just wish him well," and Musk responding on X: "Likewise."

'Old News' and Epstein Allegations:

Trump's comments to NBC on Saturday came after Musk deleted explosive allegations he had made during their dispute, linking the president with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Musk had claimed that Trump was featured in unreleased government files related to Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while facing sex trafficking charges.

The Trump administration has acknowledged reviewing tens of thousands of documents, videos, and investigative materials that his "MAGA" movement believes will expose public figures complicit in Epstein's crimes. Trump was named in a trove of depositions and statements linked to Epstein unsealed in early 2024 but has not been accused of any wrongdoing in the case.

Musk had posted on X: "Time to drop the really big bomb: (Trump) is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public." He offered no evidence for his claim and initially doubled down, writing: "Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out." However, both tweets appeared to be deleted by Saturday morning.

Trump dismissed the claim as "old news" to NBC, adding: "Even Epstein's lawyer said I had nothing to do with it." Supporters of Trump's "Make America Great Again" base often allege that Epstein's associates had their roles in his crimes concealed by government officials, pointing fingers at Democrats and Hollywood celebrities, but not at Trump. No official source has confirmed Trump's appearance in any unreleased material.

Trump knew and socialized with Epstein but has denied visiting Little Saint James, Epstein's private island in the US Virgin Islands where prosecutors alleged sex trafficking of underage girls. In an early 2000s profile of the financier, Trump had called Epstein a "terrific guy" and "a lot of fun to be with," adding, "It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side."

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