From Tesla’s ambitious push into self-driving robotaxis to SpaceX’s crucial NASA missions, and even the future of Musk’s social media platform, X, the fallout depends largely on how far Trump wants to take this grudge match.

Tesla’s Robotaxi Dream Hangs in the Balance

Tesla was gearing up for a big moment: testing its driverless taxis in Austin, Texas — a potential game-changer as sales of its electric vehicles falter in some markets. But Trump could throw a wrench in the works by pushing federal safety regulators to scrutinize Tesla’s robotaxis more aggressively.

In fact, even before tensions flared, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) was already probing how Tesla’s self-driving cars handle tricky, low-visibility conditions. This follows a major investigation last year into over 2 million Teslas after several crashes — including a fatal pedestrian accident.

A NHTSA spokesperson says the probe is ongoing and that the agency will “take any necessary actions to protect road safety.”

The Department of Justice has also investigated Tesla’s safety record, though details remain murky.

Tesla’s stock had jumped 50% in anticipation of the robotaxi rollout, but the Trump-Musk feud sent shares tumbling over 14% on Thursday — recovering only slightly the next day.

Morningstar analyst Seth Goldstein summed it up: “Tesla’s recent rise was almost entirely driven by robotaxi enthusiasm. Elon’s feud with Trump could be a negative.”

The Carbon Credit Blow

One lesser-known but vital part of Tesla’s business is selling carbon credits — regulatory allowances that help other automakers meet environmental standards. This side hustle raked in nearly $600 million in the first quarter alone.

But Republican senators, aligned with Trump, inserted language into a budget bill that could eliminate penalties on gas-guzzling cars, potentially undercutting Tesla’s lucrative carbon credit sales.

Musk has downplayed the importance of this business, but such changes could hurt Tesla as it already faces boycotts from environmentally conscious buyers put off by Musk’s political leanings.

Sales Slump and a Shaky Comeback

Musk’s political flirtations with Trump have cost Tesla dearly among the green-minded, who once championed the electric car revolution. While distancing himself from Trump might bring some buyers back, it’s far from guaranteed.

Earlier this year, some analysts hoped Tesla might gain traction in conservative areas, but recent developments have dimmed that outlook.

TD Cowen analyst Itay Michaeli put it plainly: “There are more questions than answers. It’s too early to tell the lasting impact.”

Michaeli recently downgraded Tesla’s stock target from $388 to $330. Tesla shares hovered around $300 as of Friday.

SpaceX Faces Threats to Vital Government Contracts

The feud isn’t just about cars. Trump has openly threatened to cut government contracts to SpaceX, Musk’s private rocket company — a move that could cripple a firm valued at roughly $350 billion.

SpaceX is critical to NASA, ferrying astronauts to the International Space Station with its Dragon capsules and preparing for a moon mission next year.

If SpaceX falters, the U.S. risks relying again on Russian Soyuz capsules for space travel — a politically and strategically sensitive fallback.

Musk fired back with a dramatic threat to retire the Dragon spacecraft but later softened his stance, leaving many unsure how serious he was.

Starlink’s Future Could Shift Too

SpaceX’s satellite internet service, Starlink, has recently scored international deals, some possibly boosted by Musk’s once-close ties to Trump. For example, Saudi Arabia approved Starlink services during a recent Middle East trip with Trump, and India just granted a key license, opening access to millions without internet.

It’s unclear how much politics influenced these wins, and how much pure business.

Advertisers on X: Back and Forth

After a mass advertiser exodus from Musk’s social platform X — driven by concerns over conspiracy theories and content moderation — many big brands started creeping back, wary of a conservative backlash if they stayed away.

Musk called the boycott “illegal” and sued advertisers, while the Trump administration pushed for an FTC investigation into possible coordination among them.

But now, with Trump’s souring relationship with Musk, advertisers might again see X as too politically risky.

Cornell political scientist Sarah Kreps cautions: “The risk of a new exodus depends heavily on how the conflict unfolds, how long it lasts, and how it ends.”

What’s Next?

The Musk-Trump showdown is far from over — and its ripple effects could reshape key industries from electric vehicles and space exploration to global internet access and social media.

For Elon Musk, the price of this feud could run into the billions, but for the U.S. and its technological future, the risks are just as profound.

Source: AP News – Musk could lose billions of dollars depending on how spat with Trump unfolds

The post Musk’s Billion-Dollar Risk: What Trump’s Grudge Means for Tesla and SpaceX appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is escalating its battle with Harvard University by pushing federal agencies to cancel about $100 million worth of contracts with the Ivy League powerhouse, a senior official revealed Tuesday. This move adds to an already significant crackdown on the nation’s oldest and wealthiest university.

So far, the federal government has slashed more than $2.6 billion in research grants to Harvard, which has resisted the administration’s demands to change its leadership, governance, and admissions policies. Now, a draft letter from the General Services Administration (GSA) instructs agencies to review their contracts with Harvard and seek alternative vendors. The letter was expected to be sent out Tuesday.

The New York Times first uncovered this letter, which reflects growing tensions between the Trump administration and Harvard.

What’s at Stake? Contracts Under Review Include Executive Training and Research

The administration has identified roughly 30 contracts across nine federal agencies that could be canceled. These contracts, totaling around $100 million, cover a range of services — from executive training for Department of Homeland Security officials to graduate student research and even health studies linked to energy drinks.

For contracts deemed critical, agencies have been told not to halt work immediately but to prepare plans to switch to vendors other than Harvard.

Importantly, this directive targets federal contracts only, not the remaining research grants still awarded to Harvard.

Trump’s Broader Assault: Threatening Billions in Cuts and Targeting International Students

Over the weekend, President Trump ramped up his attack on Harvard via social media, threatening to cut an additional $3 billion in federal grants and redirect that funding to trade schools nationwide. However, he did not specify which grants would be affected or how the money would be reallocated.

Trump also criticized Harvard for allegedly refusing to release the names of its foreign students. He argued that their home countries contribute nothing to their education costs and claimed some of these countries “are not at all friendly to the United States.”

In reality, international students don’t qualify for federal financial aid, but Harvard provides its own scholarships and aid to all students, both domestic and foreign.

“We are still waiting for the Foreign Student Lists from Harvard so that we can determine, after a ridiculous expenditure of BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, how many radicalized lunatics, troublemakers all, should not be let back into our Country,” Trump wrote on social media.

What exactly he’s demanding remains unclear, especially since the government already has access to visa and other records for foreign students across U.S. universities.

Foreign Student Records and Legal Pushback

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has demanded that Harvard hand over extensive records on its foreign students, including disciplinary files and any information related to “dangerous or violent activity.” Harvard says it complied, but DHS deemed the response insufficient and moved to revoke Harvard’s permission to enroll international students.

Harvard sued to block this move, and a federal judge in Boston temporarily halted the DHS action.

Global Reactions: Japan Steps In to Support Affected Students

Internationally, the situation is drawing concern. Japan’s government announced plans to support Harvard’s international students affected by these sanctions. Education Minister Toshiko Abe said she will ask Japanese universities to prepare measures to help those students.

The University of Tokyo, Japan’s most prestigious institution, is reportedly considering temporarily accepting some Harvard students caught in the crossfire.

This latest escalation highlights the deepening rift between Harvard and the Trump administration, with wide-ranging consequences for the university’s funding, its international students, and its role in federal research and education programs.

Source: AP News – Trump administration moves to cut $100 million in federal contracts for Harvard

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