Donald Trump tried to cut ties with Elon Musk’s SpaceX following their fallout, it has been reported. As Mr Trump’s relationship with his former “first buddy” descended into a bitter feud, the US president suggested he could save public money by terminating contracts awarded to Mr Musk’s companies.

Tesla remains Musk’s best-known business, but its fortunes are less directly tied to the government than SpaceX, his rocket-building company.