Boca Chica, Texas — Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of SpaceX, announced plans to decommission the company’s Dragon spacecraft, escalating tensions between him and former President Donald Trump. This decision follows Trump’s public threats to withdraw government contracts from Musk’s ventures, a move that could significantly impact SpaceX’s operations and future projects.

Musk took to the social media platform X, which he owns, to confirm the decommissioning, citing concerns over the potential cancellation of government contracts. His post came shortly after Trump expressed his stance on Truth Social, indicating his willingness to cut lucrative deals that Musk’s companies benefit from, including essential contracts with NASA.

Trump’s comments referenced perceived federal waste, claiming that terminating Musk’s government subsidies could save billions. “I was always surprised that Biden didn’t do it!” he remarked, suggesting a shift in policy could rein in spending.

SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft plays a pivotal role in NASA’s operations, transporting astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS). Since its founding in 2002, SpaceX has secured over $20 billion in government contracts, mainly from NASA and the Department of Defense. The spacecraft’s reliability was highlighted in March when two NASA astronauts returned to Earth after a prolonged stay of nearly nine months on the ISS, following complications with a competitor’s spacecraft.

The next launch of a SpaceX Dragon capsule is scheduled for June 10, poised to carry four crew members to the ISS as part of the Axiom Mission 4. This upcoming mission underscores the significant role that the Dragon capsule plays not only in U.S. space exploration but in collaboration with international partners.

In response to Musk’s announcement, NASA’s press secretary, Bethany Stevens, emphasized the agency’s commitment to advancing the president’s vision for future space exploration. “We will continue to partner with industry leaders to meet those objectives despite any challenges that arise,” she stated on X.

The tension between Musk and Trump escalated earlier in the week when Musk criticized the former president’s tax and spending proposals, labeling them a “disgusting abomination.” Musk later characterized Trump’s reaction as “ingratitude” for the campaign efforts he once supported. Following these events, Trump expressed disappointment in Musk’s behavior, stating he felt the billionaire was “wearing thin” after his recent removal from an advisory role.

As the dispute unfolds, the implications for SpaceX—and the future of U.S. space contracts—remain uncertain, leaving observers to wonder how this power struggle might affect the next phase of commercial space exploration.