Jeff Bezos and Blue Origin have increased their engagement with President Donald Trump in recent weeks, seeking to capitalize on the public fallout between Trump and Elon Musk. Bezos has spoken with Trump at least twice this month, and Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp has met with Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles. These discussions have included appeals for more government contracts, positioning Blue Origin as an alternative to SpaceX amid the strained Trump-Musk relationship. Concurrently, the Trump administration has reviewed federal contracts held by SpaceX following Musk's criticism of Trump's tax plan. While some Trump aides considered ending certain SpaceX contracts, most were deemed vital to the Pentagon and NASA, making their cancellation unfeasible. This review highlights SpaceX's critical role in U.S. defense and space operations, despite the administration's efforts to explore alternatives such as Blue Origin. Additionally, the Trump administration is reportedly seeking alternatives to SpaceX for its Golden Dome defense system, a program that is driving increased U.S. military space spending.
Exclusive: Trump's Golden Dome looks for alternatives to Musk's SpaceX https://t.co/0UB4ZcLIfG https://t.co/0UB4ZcLIfG
Trump’s Golden Dome project is fueling a surge in US military space spending, outpacing global rivals https://t.co/IOsX7uCoUl
The Trump administration is reportedly seeking alternatives to SpaceX for its Golden Dome defense system amid tensions https://t.co/ZgNraAKvZ3