Background: Close Alliance Turns Sour
Donald Trump and Elon Musk maintained a notably close relationship throughout and after the 2024 presidential election. Musk endorsed Trump, contributed hundreds of millions of dollars to his campaign, and even held a special government role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) after Trump’s victory. Their partnership was highly public, with both men frequently highlighting their alliance and appearing together at press events.
The Breaking Point: Disagreement Over Legislation
The relationship began to unravel in early June 2025, centered on Trump’s flagship domestic policy, the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” or “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” This bill, which included sweeping tax cuts and federal spending reductions, also proposed phasing out key incentives for electric vehicles—a direct threat to Musk’s business interests at Tesla.
Musk publicly denounced the bill, calling it a “disgusting abomination” and warning it would “massively increase the already gigantic budget deficit.” He used his social media platform, X, to urge his followers to pressure lawmakers to kill the bill, sparking a wave of online opposition.
Escalation: Public Insults and Threats
As Musk’s criticisms intensified, Trump responded during a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, expressing disappointment and suggesting their relationship might be over. Trump remarked, “Elon and I had a great relationship. I don’t know if we will anymore. I’m very disappointed in Elon. I’ve helped Elon a lot”.
Musk fired back on X, taking credit for Trump’s election victory and complaining of “ingratitude,” stating, “Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate”58. The feud quickly became personal, with both trading barbs—Trump mocking Musk’s appearance and Musk questioning Trump’s leadership abilities.
Consequences: Political and Business Repercussions
The fallout had immediate political implications. Trump reportedly considered cutting government contracts and subsidies to Musk’s companies, such as Tesla and SpaceX, as a cost-saving measure and a response to the public rift3. Republican strategists began advising candidates to distance themselves from Musk, seeing his influence in GOP politics as increasingly uncertain.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July 2024 | Musk endorses Trump, donates heavily to campaign |
| Early 2025 | Musk serves in Trump’s administration (DOGE) |
| Late May 2025 | Musk begins criticizing Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” |
| June 5, 2025 | Public feud erupts; Trump expresses disappointment |
| June 5, 2025 | Musk claims credit for Trump’s win, calls out “ingratitude” |
| June 5, 2025 | Trump floats ending Musk’s government contracts |
Conclusion
The Trump–Musk relationship, once a powerful alliance, devolved rapidly over policy disagreements, particularly regarding Trump’s domestic agenda and its impact on Musk’s business interests. Their split has become a high-profile feud, with personal insults and threats of political and financial retaliation, marking a dramatic end to one of the most visible political-business partnerships in recent U.S. history.
