by: The Washington Eye
What began as an unlikely but powerful alliance between former U.S. President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk has now turned into a high-profile feud that is sending shockwaves through both political and corporate America. Their relationship, which had warmed notably by 2024, saw Musk becoming one of Trump’s biggest donors—reportedly contributing $300 million—and even earning a spot as co-leader of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) after Trump’s political comeback. The two regularly praised one another, with Trump calling Musk “a star is born – Elon,” and Musk referring to Trump as “the hammer we need.”
However, the alliance began to fracture in May 2025 when Musk publicly criticized Trump’s key legislative proposal, the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill”—a sweeping tax and spending package. Musk, who had campaigned for fiscal discipline, accused the bill of recklessly increasing the federal deficit and undermining the work of DOGE. This disagreement sparked tensions that ultimately led to Musk’s departure from the Trump administration and the unraveling of their relationship.
The feud reached its boiling point on June 5, 2025, when Musk launched a series of scathing posts on his social media platform X (formerly Twitter), suggesting Trump was implicated in the Epstein files. Trump retaliated immediately, using his own platform Truth Social to blast Musk, accusing him of betrayal and hinting at cutting federal contracts with Tesla and SpaceX. Trump allies began questioning Musk’s mental state, while Musk hinted at starting a new political movement called the “American Party” aimed at representing centrist voters. He even went so far as to call for Trump’s impeachment.
Recent public statements have made their rivalry undeniable. Musk declared, “Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate. Such ingratitude.” In another post, he mused, “Is it time to create a new political party in America that actually represents the 80% in the middle?” Trump, on the other hand, has been equally dismissive, saying in one interview, “I’m not even thinking about Elon. He’s got a problem. The poor guy’s got a problem.” He later added, “You mean the man who has lost his mind? I’m not particularly interested in talking to him right now.”
The fallout has had serious consequences beyond rhetoric. Tesla’s stock experienced a sharp drop amid the drama, with reports suggesting that the White House may reconsider lucrative government contracts tied to Musk’s businesses. The rift also reveals deeper ideological differences: Musk, a vocal proponent of free speech, innovation, and globalism, stands in contrast to Trump’s populist, nationalist “America First” platform. Disagreements over appointments—such as the White House rescinding Musk’s recommendation for Jared Isaacman to lead NASA—further widened the gap. Musk’s influence on Trump’s granddaughter, Kai, and allegations of drug use have also surfaced, adding personal tension to the already volatile situation.
With both men commanding loyal followings and major platforms, their split is not just a personal matter—it has significant implications for the 2026 midterms and beyond. Some political strategists believe Musk could siphon off moderate Republican and independent voters if he pushes ahead with his “American Party” idea. Others argue that Trump’s base remains solid and that Musk’s influence outside tech and crypto circles may be overstated. As the feud continues to play out online and in the press, it serves as a dramatic reminder of how fragile political alliances can be—especially when driven by ego, ambition, and conflicting visions for America’s future. What was once a dynamic political-tech partnership is now a cautionary tale of how quickly loyalty can turn into animosity when two powerful personalities
