Trump Faces Backlash From His Own Supporters

A surprising rift is emerging within the typically unified base of Donald Trump, as a significant number of his supporters on Truth Social are voicing disapproval of his escalating feud with Elon Musk. The disagreement stems from Trump’s recent threat to withdraw federal subsidies and contracts from Musk’s companies – totaling a reported $38 billion over the past two decades, according to the Washington Post – if he doesn’t fall in line with the former president’s views.

Trump’s post on Thursday, suggesting the termination of these funds would save “Billions and Billions of Dollars,” sparked a wave of responses largely supportive of Musk. While Trump framed the issue as fiscal responsibility, many Truth Social users interpreted it as a needless attack on a key innovator.

Comments ranged from simple affirmations of Musk’s value – “Elon is a great man!” – to direct criticism of Trump’s approach. Several users, identifying with the #ULTRAMAGA label, pleaded with Trump to reconsider. One user, @realohiogirl, bluntly asked, “What is wrong with you??? Please stop.” Others, like @kitkat1963, appealed to a sense of national unity, urging both men to resolve their differences for the good of the country.

The discontent wasn’t limited to individual users. Accounts with substantial followings, such as WeLoveTrumpWLT (18,000 followers), dismissed Trump’s stance as a “bad take.” The level of pushback suggests a genuine concern among some Trump supporters that this public squabble is detrimental to both men, and by extension, to the conservative movement.

Many users echoed the sentiment that the dispute appeared petty and unproductive, with @tommykids11 quipping, “ITS STARTING TO SOUND LIKE A CAT FIGHT…LEAVE ELON ALONE.” Several commenters stressed the importance of prioritizing national interests over personal grievances, arguing that a united front is crucial. The escalating conflict began after Musk publicly criticized what he termed “excess pork” in a recently passed bill, prompting a disappointed response from Trump during a press conference. This public disagreement has now fractured a portion of Trump’s online base, revealing an unexpected vulnerability in his typically unwavering support. It’s a peculiar turn of events, demonstrating that even within the most loyal of followings, there’s a limit to tolerance for intra-conservative conflict.