As the high-profile feud between Donald Trump and Elon Musk continued to escalate, conservative commentator Laura Loomer weighed in prompting a defiant response from the world’s richest man.“It’s heating up,” Loomer wrote on social media. “Will be interesting to see what Republican lawmakers do now. I know lawmakers who are asking if they should side with President Trump or Elon. I’ve been on the Hill all day and it’s all anyone is talking about. The most powerful man in the world vs the richest man in the world.”Musk swiftly replied, “Oh and some food for thought as they ponder this question: Trump has 3.5 years left as President, but I will be around for 40+ years.”The exchange came amid the dramatic implosion of the Trump-Musk alliance a political and personal partnership that had defined the last year in Washington. From a red Tesla parked on White House grounds to Musk’s short-lived tenure as head of Trump’s cost-cutting Department of Government Efficiency, the two men had once been inseparable.But the falling-out turned ugly this week when Trump slammed Musk over his criticism of a “disgusting abomination” of a spending bill. From the Oval Office, Trump declared he was “very disappointed in Elon” and hinted at terminating Musk’s multi-billion-dollar government contracts.Musk, who had donated nearly $300 million to Trump’s re-election campaign, shot back in real time on X, accusing the President of “such ingratitude” and warning that without his backing, “Trump would have lost the election.”The feud has since spiralled. Musk accused Trump of being named in sealed Jeffrey Epstein files, announced plans to decommission SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, and teased forming a new political party. Tesla’s shares plunged by over 14%, wiping out $100 billion in market value.Trump, for his part, dismissed Musk’s concerns as “Trump derangement syndrome” and declared on Truth Social: “The easiest way to save money… is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts.”Yet amid the political spectacle and financial fallout, Musk’s response to Loomer hinted at his long game. While Trump’s presidency has an expiry date, Musk reminded Republicans in Washington of his lasting presence and influence in both politics and business.