Elon Musk Slams Steve Bannon: “Dumber Than a Doorstop” After Nationalization Proposal for SpaceX

Elon Musk has once again found himself in a heated public clash, this time with Steve Bannon, the former White House strategist and prominent MAGA influencer, who proposed nationalizing Musk’s rocket company, SpaceX. Bannon’s suggestion came amid growing tensions between Musk and President Donald Trump, and the tech mogul did not hold back in responding to the accusation that SpaceX should be brought under government control.

The sparks flew after Bannon criticized Musk’s reliance on government contracts, particularly from NASA, the Department of Defense, and other government agencies. Bannon claimed that these contracts make up 90% of SpaceX’s revenue, a figure that has been contested by Musk. Bannon, speaking to The Daily Beast, took aim at Musk’s wealth, which he argued was largely built on taxpayer dollars.

“Musk has made 100 to 150 billion dollars in net worth on government contracts,” Bannon said. He added, “Why do we not have warrants or options, huge packages for the American taxpayer, as part of that?”

Bannon’s frustration was compounded by Musk’s public split with Trump, which has deepened the rift between the two men. The former White House strategist further pushed his argument by suggesting that SpaceX was, in essence, a government entity due to the overwhelming role that government contracts play in its financials.

Bannon proposed that, given this, SpaceX should be nationalized: “We’re going to nationalize SpaceX because it’s a government entity anyway, with 90 percent of the revenues.”

In response, Musk lashed out at Bannon with characteristic bluntness, calling him a “dumber than a doorstop” liar in a tweet shared on his X platform. Musk also sought to clarify the revenue breakdown of SpaceX, stating that the company’s expected revenue for the year would be $15.5 billion, with NASA contributing a much smaller portion of that total—around $1.1 billion. Musk further mocked Bannon’s reasoning, pointing out the absurdity of his claim.

“If Bannon’s dumb reasoning made any sense, then anyone who bought products from any company would automatically own that company,” Musk wrote. “Bannon is truly peak r—-d.”

The war of words didn’t stop there. Musk’s response underscores a deeper frustration with Bannon’s position and the broader critique of Silicon Valley’s reliance on government funding. Musk’s challenge to Bannon’s suggestion also highlights a broader debate about the role of private companies in industries that are heavily influenced by government contracts.

Musk, known for his libertarian-leaning stance, has long defended SpaceX’s independence and innovation, arguing that the company’s success is a result of its entrepreneurial spirit and technological advancements rather than mere reliance on government money.

This clash between Musk and Bannon comes against the backdrop of a much larger ideological battle. While Musk has been a prominent figure in the tech world and in political discussions due to his influence over platforms like Twitter (now X) and his ties to both conservative and progressive movements, Bannon has become increasingly vocal in his criticism of Musk.

The former Trump strategist, who has been at the center of the populist movement, has long suspected Musk’s intentions and raised concerns over Musk’s political affiliations, particularly after Musk distanced himself from Trump in recent months.

The tensions between the two men also reflect the fracturing relationship between Musk and Trump. After Musk publicly criticized Trump’s stance on various issues, including the Republican budget bill, Bannon’s attacks on Musk became more pronounced. As a former strategist for Trump, Bannon has long been a staunch supporter of the populist agenda, and Musk’s evolving political views have put him at odds with that faction.

Beyond the public spat over SpaceX’s nationalization, Bannon’s criticisms have taken a more personal turn. In his recent comments, Bannon suggested that if any other CEO had threatened to decommission a rocket used for government projects after a spat with a U.S. president, that executive would have been fired.

Musk had earlier made headlines by suggesting that the Department of Justice might investigate Trump’s ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, a move that was seen as a betrayal by Trump’s inner circle. Musk later deleted the tweet, but the damage to his relationship with the president was done.

Further fueling the fire, Bannon also seized upon a report from The New York Times that claimed Musk had been using drugs more intensely than previously known, including substances like ketamine, ecstasy, and psychedelic mushrooms. Musk vehemently denied the allegations, but Bannon suggested that a special counsel should be appointed to investigate Musk’s alleged drug use.

“Pull his security clearance for the drugs, temporarily, investigate the whole drug situation,” Bannon argued.

Musk, however, brushed off these claims, focusing instead on the broader political and business implications of Bannon’s nationalization proposal. For Musk, this spat is just another example of the political entanglements that continue to shape the tech industry. As Musk’s influence grows, so does the scrutiny from political figures like Bannon, who view him as a disruptive force in both business and politics.

Bannon’s criticism of Musk’s alleged drug use and his proposal to nationalize SpaceX illustrate a growing divide between the populist right and the tech elite. While Bannon and other populist figures continue to push for greater government control over private companies, Musk has doubled down on his belief in free-market capitalism and innovation.

As the public feud continues to unfold, Musk and Bannon’s clash represents a broader ideological struggle over the role of big tech in society and the extent to which government intervention should play a role in shaping that landscape. Musk’s fiery response to Bannon’s nationalization call only adds fuel to the fire, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle between Silicon Valley’s billionaire innovators and the populist forces who seek to rein them in.

Looking ahead, it remains to be seen how this feud will evolve, but one thing is clear: the stakes are high, not just for Musk, but for the future of private enterprise, government oversight, and the power dynamics that are shaping America’s technological and political landscape. As Musk continues to push boundaries with his space ventures, electric vehicles, and other groundbreaking innovations, Bannon’s criticisms may just be the tip of the iceberg in a much larger battle over the control of the future.