New Delhi/IBNS, June 8 -- US President Donald Trump has threatened his former advisor and once 'great friend' Elon Musk with "serious consequences" if the tech billionaire seeks to punish Republicans who vote for a controversial spending bill by funding Democrats.

The comments by Trump to NBC News come after the relationship between them turned bitter, marked by public spats this week over Musk's criticism of Trump's so-called "big, beautiful" spending bill, which is currently before Congress.

Trump on Friday referred to Elon Musk as "the man who has lost his mind" while responding to a question regarding a possible telephonic talk with the tech billionaire.

"You mean the man who has lost his mind?" Trump had asked, adding that he was ...