The situation has all the elements that the president seeks: a showdown with a top political rival in a deep blue state over an issue core to his agenda.
The unlikely alliance between President Trump and Elon Musk broke down on Thursday, less than a week after Mr. Trump celebrated Mr. Musk’s work in government with an Oval Office farewell.
The sudden fallout ended a nearly yearlong partnership, during which Mr. Musk helped propel Mr. Trump to the White House and became one of the president’s top advisers.