When Titans Collide: How the Trump–Musk Rift Could Shake Up the U.S. Real Estate Market

Last updated: June 2025

Written by: Sanjin Hadziomerovic

The Unfolding Clash and Its Reach

The public dispute between former President Donald Trump and Elon Musk has evolved into a high-profile dialogue on policy, corporate responsibility and economic direction. What began as social-media jabs has spilled into commentary on housing policy and tax reform, drawing in lawmakers and financial markets. Given the stature of both figures, their feud carries implications far beyond Silicon Valley boardrooms or political rallies—it risks reshaping confidence across the entire real estate sector.

Investor Sentiment in an Era of High-Profile Discord

Real estate investment is built on forecasts of stability—stable cash flows, policy frameworks and financing markets. When two of the most influential voices in business and politics publicly clash, it creates headline risk that can temper risk appetite. Anecdotal reports suggest some institutional investors are pausing new allocations to property debt and equity, opting instead for government bonds and other more predictable assets until the rhetoric subsides.

Yet for savvy short-term rental (STR) investors, moments of market uncertainty can also present unique opportunities. Volatility often cools overheated bidding and can compress cap-rates, opening windows to acquire quality assets at more attractive price bases. At the same time, robust domestic travel demand continues to support occupancy and average daily rates in many vacation markets. By stress-testing your projections under various rate and cap-rate scenarios—and tapping into Chalet’s data tools—you can zero in on resilient sub-markets where risk-adjusted returns remain compelling. Use the FREE Airbnb Calculator and the Airbnb Market Insights to help you with your analysis, ensuring you capture both near-term cash-flow upside and the tax benefits of accelerated depreciation.

Mortgage Rates Under Pressure

Mortgage-backed securities closely track Treasury yields, which respond not only to economic fundamentals but also to spikes in headline-driven volatility. Analysis shows that heightened political uncertainty—including high-profile disputes—can widen spreads on 10-year Treasuries by 5–10 basis points. In practical terms, a 0.10% spread increase can raise the rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage by a similar amount. For a borrower financing $400,000, that translates to roughly $25 more per month. Moreover, lenders may adopt more conservative underwriting criteria—tightening credit overlays and increasing rate locks—to buffer against sudden swings in bond markets. Mortgage professionals report they are watching Federal Housing Finance Agency and CFPB communications closely for any clues that regulatory or policy shifts are imminent.

Implications for Real Estate Valuations

Rising borrowing costs feed directly into property valuations. Appraisers and brokers adjust capitalization-rate assumptions when yields climb, often by 10–20 basis points for every 0.10% increase in financing cost. This means property values can compress by 2–3% or more overnight. Adding to pressure, proposed changes in the new budget bill—such as Section 899’s potential to levy up to a 20% tax on foreign investors’ U.S. real estate income—could further depress values, as high-net-worth and institutional buyers reevaluate cross-border allocations. Some investors have already paused planned acquisitions until they gain clarity on both financing and tax liabilities.

Short-Term Rental Markets: A Two-Speed Landscape

Short-term rentals—where operators often leverage substantial debt to fund acquisitions and furnishings—are particularly sensitive to shifts in both financing costs and tax incentives. Leisure destinations with strong tourism demand (beach towns, mountain resorts) may weather moderate rate increases thanks to higher average daily rates. By contrast, urban-centric markets facing tighter regulations and slower demand recovery may see sharper declines in revenue and valuation. Meanwhile, corporate-focused markets could benefit from stable business travel. Investors are now bifurcating their strategies: doubling down on high-yield leisure assets while adopting conservative cap- rate assumptions for urban and secondary markets.

The Bonus Depreciation Lifeline at Risk

Congress’s recent reinstatement of 100% bonus depreciation through 2029 was hailed as a major win for property investors, enabling immediate expensing of interiors, appliances and certain site improvements. Yet the Musk–Trump feud injects fresh uncertainty: if the dispute broadens into a clash between deficit hawks and pro-growth factions, bonus depreciation could become a bargaining chip. Stakeholders warn that sunset acceleration or tightened eligibility could be introduced as offset measures in future budget negotiations.

Strategic Steps for Investors

1. Lock in Financing Early: Secure mortgage commitments or lines of credit before volatility-driven rate hikes. Get your FREE consultation with short-term rental investment specialized professionals here.
2. Accelerate CapEx: Complete qualifying improvements now to capture maximum depreciation before potential policy roll-backs.
3. Stress-Test Valuations: Model cap-rate increases of 25–50 basis points and depreciation phase-downs to 50%. Use the Airbnb Calculator and the Airbnb Market Insights to help you with your due diligence.
4. Diversify Holdings: Balance portfolios between leisure and urban markets to mitigate localized risks.
5. Talk to an Airbnb Specialist: Schedule FREE consultations with short-term rental specialists, to be able to create a strategy that suits your needs the best. Talking to Airbnb specialized CPAs or Cost Segregation Experts will help you be prepared regardless of the Trump-Musk feud outcome.

Looking Ahead

While political feuds rarely translate directly into legislation, the Trump–Musk dispute highlights how prominent rhetoric can influence market psychology. For real estate and short-term rental investors, vigilance—monitoring policy debates, shoring up financing and maintaining disciplined underwriting—remains paramount.