Once hailed as a power duo of politics and innovation, US President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk have descended into a public and deeply personal feud—with political threats, financial damage, and explosive accusations dominating headlines.
From MAGA Hats to Mayhem
Their alliance began in July 2024, when Musk endorsed Trump following an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. Appearing at Trump’s side with a custom MAGA hat, Musk called for unity and joined the campaign trail. Post-election, Trump rewarded him with an unpaid advisory role under the “special government employee” category, helping lead the newly minted Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
By February 2025, Musk went so far as to proclaim on X:
“I love @realDonaldTrump as much as a straight man can love another man.”
But the romance between the president and the world’s richest man wouldn’t last long.
The Breaking Point
At Trump’s May 31 Oval Office press conference, he praised Musk as “one of the greatest business leaders” — but behind the scenes, tensions were rising.
The final blow came on June 5, when Trump accused Musk of trying to sabotage the administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill”—a sweeping government funding package. Trump claimed Musk was furious that the bill eliminated electric vehicle tax credits, dealing a direct hit to Tesla’s business model.
“Elon and I had a great relationship. I don’t know if we will any more,” Trump said.
Musk responded with fury online, calling the legislation a “disgusting abomination” and denying any prior knowledge of its contents.
Musk Goes Nuclear
On June 6, Musk escalated the feud dramatically:
“Trump’s name is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public,” Musk posted on X.
He followed with an old Trump quote on Epstein and ended with the jab:
“Have a nice day, DJT!”
Musk also launched a user poll on whether to start a new centrist political party, endorsed JD Vance as a replacement president, and warned of an impending recession due to Trump’s global tariff plans.
Trump’s Revenge and Tesla’s Collapse
Trump retaliated by threatening to terminate all government subsidies and contracts with Musk’s companies.
The market reacted swiftly:
- Tesla shares nosedived over 14% on Thursday, wiping out $152 billion in market value.
- Musk lost $8.73 billion in personal wealth in one day, per Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index.
On Truth Social, Trump wrote:
“I don’t mind Elon turning against me, but he should have done so months ago… I took away his EV Mandate… and he just went CRAZY.”
He warned that failure to pass the bill would mean a “68 per cent Tax Increase”, calling the package “one of the Greatest Bills ever presented to Congress.”
What’s Next?
With Elon Musk now openly backing impeachment, the fallout may reshape the political and economic landscape in the run-up to the 2026 midterms.
As Musk’s tech empire reels and Trump’s White House circles the wagons, America watches a civil war among former allies, once united by populist rhetoric and billionaire bravado—now locked in a digital battle for power, legacy, and influence.