Elon Musk Reverses Course, Says SpaceX Dragon Will Remain Active Despite Trump Feud

Elon Musk said Thursday he will not decommission SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, reversing an earlier statement made during a public feud with President Donald Trump.

“We won’t decommission Dragon,” Musk confirmed in a reply on X, addressing backlash over his earlier remarks. The retraction comes after Trump threatened to pull government contracts from Musk’s companies, notably SpaceX, a key partner to NASA.

SpaceX’s Dragon capsule has played a critical role in recent space missions. Earlier this year, it was used in a successful rescue operation for two stranded astronauts aboard the International Space Station, following a failed Boeing (NYSE:BA) mission. The spacecraft has become an essential component of NASA’s crewed flight capabilities.

The Musk-Trump feud erupted this week after Musk publicly criticized a major tax and spending bill supported by Trump. The conflict quickly escalated into personal attacks on social media, triggering volatility in Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) shares. The dispute reportedly wiped out over $150 billion in market capitalization for Tesla within days.

Despite the tension, Musk’s decision to keep Dragon active may help preserve crucial federal partnerships and stabilize investor sentiment around his space and electric vehicle ventures. The incident underscores the high stakes involved when business and politics collide—especially when it concerns companies with deep ties to government programs.

The Dragon spacecraft remains one of SpaceX’s most valuable assets, and its continued operation affirms Musk’s broader vision for human spaceflight. As political friction simmers, Musk appears to be focusing back on the long-term goals of space exploration and technological leadership.