The Trump administration has launched a formal review of SpaceX's federal contracts after Elon Musk publicly criticised the US president's economic policies. While the review aimed to uncover potential waste, officials concluded that most contracts with SpaceX are too critical to cancel, given the company’s role in defence and space operations. The episode highlights the US government's dependence on Musk's space company and its lack of viable alternatives, despite industry frustrations and a push for more competition.