In the combustible world of U.S. politics and high-tech capitalism, the brief alliance between Donald Trump and Elon Musk was as unexpected as it was short-lived. Born out of strategic necessity during the 2024 presidential race, the Trump-Musk partnership has since exploded into a high-profile feud—one that’s shaken markets, divided the GOP, and laid bare deep ideological rifts between two of America’s most influential figures.
The Rise: From Rivals to Running Mates in Power
Their partnership took shape in the heat of the 2024 election. Despite Musk’s prior criticism of Trump, he donated a staggering $275 million to Trump’s campaign (Reuters), catapulting himself into political power. As a reward, Trump handed Musk a newly minted position: Head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—a role crafted to give Musk control over federal spending cuts.
Musk became a fixture at Mar-a-Lago, sat in on key policy discussions, and even joined Trump in televised appearances. For a moment, it looked like the brash billionaire duo could reshape Washington—Trump with political muscle, Musk with tech-fueled ambition.
But beneath the surface, fault lines were forming.
The Breaking Point: “One Big Beautiful Bill” Goes Bad
Things began to unravel in May 2025 with Trump’s unveiling of his sweeping domestic policy proposal: the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”—a massive tax and budget package over 1,000 pages long. It proposed dramatic spending increases and axed electric vehicle (EV) tax credits—directly threatening Tesla’s financial interests.
Musk, whose DOGE appointment was tied to slashing government spending, denounced the bill as a “disgusting abomination” (CNN Business). He claimed his opposition was about fiscal discipline—not business. Trump wasn’t buying it.
The former president fired back, accusing Musk of betraying the administration over “greed,” framing the critique as a selfish reaction to Tesla’s loss of subsidies (NBC News). This exchange marked the end of their cooperation—and the beginning of a political and personal firestorm.
The Explosion: Threats, Insults, and Social Media Crossfire
By June 5, 2025, the feud hit full throttle.
Trump threatened to axe SpaceX’s $3 billion in federal contracts, calling Musk’s companies a “money pit” in a Truth Social post:
“The easiest way to save Billions? Cut Elon’s Subsidies. ALL of them.”
Musk responded with scorched-earth tactics. He endorsed an X post advocating for Trump’s impeachment, floated JD Vance as a replacement, and made an explosive (and unsubstantiated) claim linking Trump to the Jeffrey Epstein files (ABC News).
Trump escalated in kind—mocking Musk’s appearance, withdrawing his support for Musk’s NASA nominee, and making the spat personal and vindictive (BBC). Musk, in retaliation, ran a viral X poll about launching his own political party—hinting at a move that could fracture the conservative base (Reuters).
Timeline: How the Trump-Musk Feud Unfolded
| Date | Event | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Late May 2025 | Musk slams the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” | Sparks rift over spending and EV subsidies |
| June 5, 2025 | Trump vows to cancel SpaceX contracts | Tesla stock plummets 14%, losing $150 billion in value (Reuters) |
| June 5, 2025 | Musk hints at impeachment, cites Epstein connection | Trump Media shares fall 8%, Republicans divided (NBC News) |
| June 5, 2025 | Trump mocks Musk’s appearance, blocks NASA nominee | Feud becomes personal; media frenzy intensifies |
| June 5, 2025 | Musk threatens to ground Dragon spacecraft, later backtracks | Raises alarm at NASA; aerospace industry rattled (BBC) |
Economic Shockwaves: $150 Billion Wiped Out
The consequences weren’t just political. Tesla shares nosedived 14%, erasing around $150 billion in market value (Reuters). Meanwhile, Trump Media stock dropped 8%, signaling investor unease about political stability and market unpredictability.
Even more alarming, Musk’s short-lived threat to halt SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft—vital to NASA’s ISS missions—sparked fears about national space operations (BBC). Though quickly retracted, it underscored how vulnerable public-sector projects have become to billionaire blowups.
The Real Causes: Beyond the Bill
The public fallout may have been triggered by a single policy, but several deeper conflicts set the stage:
-
Ideological Clash: Trump’s nationalist, “America First” approach never aligned with Musk’s globalist, innovation-driven worldview (The Guardian).
-
Egos in Collision: Both figures demand loyalty and have a zero-tolerance stance for dissent. Their mutual dominance was unsustainable (Al Jazeera).
-
Business vs. Politics: Musk insists he cares about debt reduction. But EV subsidies are critical to Tesla’s future, and Trump’s rollback of green incentives hit where it hurt (The New York Times).
-
Cultural Divide: Trump speaks to rural and working-class populism. Musk remains an icon of elite Silicon Valley culture (The Guardian).
Their alliance may have been doomed from the start.
Political Fallout: GOP Caught in the Crossfire
Inside the Republican Party, the feud has created chaos. Some lawmakers, like Rep. Tom Massie, expressed sympathy for Musk’s anti-spending stance. Others, such as Rep. Troy Nehls, called Musk’s behavior “treasonous” (NBC News). With the 2026 midterms looming, the split is threatening party unity.
Musk’s potential move to form a third party could reshape the electoral map, especially in battleground states. His massive reach—220 million followers on X—gives him a megaphone unmatched even by Trump.
Public Perception: Popcorn or Protest?
In diners and town halls across swing states like Pennsylvania, voters are divided. Some see the feud as “two egos battling it out,” while others believe it’s a deliberate distraction from economic and social issues (BBC).
Whether spectacle or substance, the feud is resonating—and shaping public discourse in real time.
Is Peace Possible? Signs of a Ceasefire?
On the evening of June 5, 2025, hedge fund titan Bill Ackman suggested on X that the two men reconcile. Musk responded cryptically:
“You’re not wrong.”
Trump, meanwhile, told Politico that “everything’s going great,” and insiders say a call between the two was scheduled for June 6 (BBC). Still, few believe the damage can be undone.
A Battle That Could Redefine U.S. Politics
This isn’t just a celebrity spat—it’s a fundamental clash between competing visions for America’s future. Trump champions populist nationalism and traditional energy; Musk pushes for futuristic, tech-led reform.
Their battle has already cost the markets billions, fractured the GOP, and blurred the lines between business, media, and politics. If Musk proceeds with a third-party bid or continues to challenge Trump from the right, the 2026 and 2028 elections could become even more unpredictable.
The Trump-Musk saga is far from over—and its fallout will echo across Washington, Wall Street, and Silicon Valley for years to come.
