The connection between Donald Trump and Elon Musk has been unpredictable, shifting almost personally from friendship to dispute. At one point, two exaggerated individuals who were both renowned for their inflated egos and audacious ideals appeared to be a perfect match. However, their recent public dispute, which was discussed in press conferences and on social media, demonstrates how easily trust can be damaged when pride and power clash. Let’s examine their development from tense partners to enmity-filled opponents in a way that highlights the human aspect of their conflict.
“Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world.”
Their story started out of tense in 2016, when Elon Musk, who identified as a Democrat at that time, didn’t like Trump. He publicly admonishes him, claiming that Donald Trump’s personality did not represent America properly. Never one to back down from a challenge, Donald Trump later referred to Elon Musk as a “bullshit artist” during a rally in 2022, criticizing his business endeavors and asserting that Elon Musk had secretly voted for him. Despite this initial conflict, they eventually crossed paths in useful ways. Elon Musk briefly served on Trump’s business advisory councils during his first term, but he quit in 2017 over Trump’s decision to exit the Paris Climate Agreement, tweeting, “Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world.” It was a principled stand, but it hinted at the ideological gaps that would haunt their relationship.
Fast forward to 2022, things started to shift. Elon Musk bought Twitter (now X) and reinstated Trump’s account, which had been banned after the January 6 Capitol attack, a cautious truce seemed to form. Elon Musk, who had voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020, began leaning right, criticizing Democrats as the “party of division and hate.” By 2024, he was all in for Donald Trump, pouring nearly $300 million into his reelection campaign and even appearing at a rally in Pennsylvania, wearing a MAGA hat. Donald Trump, in turn, praised Elon Musk as a “great brain” and a “star,” especially after SpaceX launches. Their bond peaked when Donald Trump appointed Elon Musk to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a new initiative to slash federal spending.
For a while, it seemed like they were meant to be together. Elon Musk was a constant presence at Trump’s side, jetting to Mar-a-Lago and sitting in on high-profile meetings. Donald Trump gifted him a ceremonial gold key in the Oval Office, calling him one of the greatest innovators ever. Elon Musk, on the other hand, loved his job and pushed for harsh cost-cutting measures that scared government agencies. But things were starting to break down underneath. Elon Musk’s efforts with DOGE were bold, but his clashes with cabinet officials grew. Tesla’s stock took a hit as his political involvement alienated some customers, and his promises of $2 trillion in savings fell short, with estimates closer to $180 billion.
“I regret some of my posts about President Trump last week. They went too far.”
The breaking point came in late May 2025, when Elon Musk left DOGE after 130 days. Days later, he turned on Trump’s signature “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a massive tax and spending package. Elon Musk called it a “disgusting abomination” on X, arguing it would balloon the national debt. Donald Trump, who saw the bill as his legacy, didn’t take kindly to the betrayal. On June 5, during a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump aired his grievances, saying he was “very disappointed” in Elon Musk. He claimed Elon only opposed the bill because it cut electric vehicle subsidies. Donald Trump even mocked Elon’s appearance, joking about his black eye and offering him makeup.
Elon Musk hit back hard, escalating the feud into a public spectacle. On X, he claimed Donald Trump would have lost the 2024 election without his support and suggested starting a new “America Party.” In a now-deleted post, he alleged without evidence that Trump was named in unreleased Jeffrey Epstein files, a bombshell accusation that stunned observers. Donald Trump fired back on Truth Social, calling Musk “CRAZY” and threatening to cancel his government contracts, worth billions for SpaceX and Tesla. Elon Musk briefly threatened to decommission SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, critical for NASA, before backtracking after online pushback.
The feud wasn’t just about policy; it felt personal. Elon posts dripped with contempt, while Trump’s responses carried the sting of betrayal. Allies of both men tried to mediate. Vice President JD Vance urged Elon Musk to “chill out,” and Musk’s father, Errol, told him to let the fight “fizzle out.” By June 11, Elon Musk showed signs of regret, posting on X, “I regret some of my posts about President Trump last week. They went too far.” He deleted his most inflammatory tweets, including the Epstein claim. Donald Trump, in a softer tone, told the New York Post he had “no hard feelings” but still refused to reconcile, saying he was “too busy” to talk.
“CRAZY Elon Musk wanted to keep his subsidies, and now he’s turning on America.”
The fallout has real consequences. Tesla’s stock plummeted 14% in a single day, costing Elon Musk billions in net worth. Trump’s bill faces a tougher path in Congress, with Musk’s opposition amplifying doubts. And their public spat has divided their supporters, with some Republicans backing Trump and others, like Steve Bannon, fanning the flames against Elon Musk. Whether they reconcile or not, this episode shows how fragile alliances can be when ambition and ideology collide. For now, the bromance is over, and the world is watching to see what these two titans do next.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.
