How Elon Musk and Trump’s Bromance Turned Bitter

Elon Musk and Donald Trump: A Fractured Alliance

The once-unbreakable bond between Elon Musk and Donald Trump has crumbled into a public feud, sparked by a contentious tax and spending bill in June 2025.

Their relationship, marked by shared ambitions and mutual admiration, has devolved into sharp exchanges, with both men airing grievances on social media and in public statements.

Below is a detailed breakdown of their history, the recent fallout, and the words that fueled their clash:

First Meetings and Early Ties

Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s paths first crossed in the mid-2010s. A 1997 photo from Mar-a-Lago, showing them with Jeffrey Epstein, hints at early acquaintance, though their interactions were limited.

By 2017, Musk joined Trump’s business advisory councils, aiming to influence policy on innovation and climate. Their views clashed, particularly on the Paris Climate Agreement, prompting Musk’s resignation from the councils in June 2017.

Despite this, their shared interest in business and disruption kept their relationship cordial, if distant, with occasional meetings at high-profile events. These early encounters laid the groundwork for a complex dynamic, balancing mutual respect with ideological differences.

The Bromance Blossoms

By 2024, Musk and Trump’s relationship transformed into a close alliance. Musk endorsed Trump after a July 2024 assassination attempt, pouring over $250 million into his campaign through super PACs and personal contributions.

After Trump’s victory, Musk was appointed to co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with Vivek Ramaswamy, tasked with slashing federal spending.

Their bond grew visible: Musk joined Trump on Air Force One, attended Cabinet meetings, and received a ceremonial golden key to the White House.

In November 2024, they celebrated together at a SpaceX Starship launch in Texas, with Trump praising Musk’s “genius” and buying a Tesla Cybertruck as a public gesture.

Social media buzzed with their camaraderie, with X users dubbing them a “power duo.”

Cracks in the Foundation

Tensions surfaced in early 2025. Musk’s aggressive DOGE proposals, including demanding federal workers justify their jobs or face termination, irked Trump’s Cabinet.

In a March 2025 meeting, Trump clarified Musk wasn’t running agencies, signaling limits to his influence. Reports suggest another strain came when Trump excluded Musk from Pentagon briefings on potential China conflicts, a move former strategist Steve Bannon called a turning point.

Musk’s focus also shifted as Tesla faced a 71% profit drop in Q1 2025, forcing him to prioritize his businesses over government duties. These issues policy clashes, restricted access, and Musk’s divided attention planted seeds of discord.

The Breaking Point

The alliance shattered in June 2025 over Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a $4 trillion tax and spending package. Musk, who had stepped down from DOGE to focus on Tesla and SpaceX, publicly opposed the bill on June 4, calling it a “disgusting abomination” on X.

He criticized its $2.4 trillion deficit increase and debt ceiling hike, urging followers to “kill the bill.” Musk even polled X users about forming a new political party, amplifying GOP divisions.

Trump, initially hoping to preserve Musk’s support, grew frustrated as Musk’s attacks intensified. The clash, fueled by the bill’s cuts to electric vehicle (EV) incentives, marked a public and irreparable split.

Trump’s Sharp Retorts

Trump responded on June 5 during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. He expressed disappointment, stating, “Elon and I had a great relationship. I don’t know if we will anymore.”

He accused Musk of supporting the bill’s framework until EV incentives were cut, suggesting Musk’s opposition was self-serving. On Truth Social, Trump escalated, claiming Musk had “Trump derangement syndrome” and was “wearing thin with people.”

He hinted at targeting Musk’s government contracts, worth billions for SpaceX and Tesla, and even threatened to sell his Cybertruck. By June 6, Trump told aides to “take the gloves off,” signaling a full-scale offensive against his former ally.

Musk’s Fiery Counterattacks

Musk hit back hard on X. On June 5, he resurfaced Trump’s 2013 tweets criticizing deficit spending, mocking their inconsistency with, “Guess you changed your mind, huh?” He claimed Trump “would have lost the election” without his financial and public support, citing his $250 million campaign contributions.

In a shocking move, Musk alleged Trump’s name appeared in Jeffrey Epstein’s files, a claim without evidence that sparked outrage. He also targeted House Speaker Mike Johnson, who defended the bill, tweeting, “We need a new bill that doesn’t bankrupt the country.” Musk’s posts rallied GOP figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Rand Paul, deepening party fractures.

Fallout and Broader Impact

The feud’s repercussions are significant. Tesla’s stock plunged 14% on June 5 amid fears of lost federal contracts, though it recovered slightly by June 6.

Trump’s threats to revoke SpaceX and Tesla deals could cripple Musk’s empire, while Musk’s X platform amplifies his influence, with millions engaging his posts. Some Republicans, like Senator John Kennedy, dismissed Musk’s sway, saying, “He’s not running the Senate.”

Others, like Senator Kevin Cramer, downplayed his policy impact. Democrats, including Chuck Schumer, used Musk’s dissent to question the bill’s viability. X users called the spat a “playground fight,” with some urging reconciliation to focus on governance. The feud exposes GOP divisions and raises questions about Musk’s political future, with speculation about a third-party run. For now, the Musk-Trump clash remains a high-stakes battle of egos, with no clear resolution.

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