The fallout from Elon Musk’s bitter public spat with Donald Trump struck an immediate blow, sending shares in the billionaire’s company Tesla tumbling .

But the damage risks spreading much further as two of the world’s most powerful men squabble over policy, politics and personal behaviour.

As US president, Mr Trump has the powers of the federal government at his fingertips – giving him a variety of ways to make Mr Musk’s life difficult through investigations, regulatory actions and even scrutiny of his immigration status.

Yet at the same time, the world’s richest man has leverage too: his billions may hold the key to maintaining Republican control of Congress, with crucial midterm elections coming up next year.

Both men have fiercely loyal followings, ready to trash their rival’s

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