Trump and Musk’s alliance collapsed Thursday in a public clash filled with threats, insults, and explosive claims.
WASHINGTON (WE) — What once looked like a rocket-powered partnership between Donald Trump and Elon Musk now lies in ruins. Their powerful alliance, built on mutual ambition and influence, exploded Thursday in a series of public attacks. The two men, both known for dominating the news cycle and social media, turned their platforms into battlegrounds as their feud boiled over.
It started when Trump was asked about Musk’s criticism of his new $2.7 trillion spending bill during a White House meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Until then, Trump had avoided responding directly, even as Musk posted daily barbs on X, mocking what he called the “Big Beautiful Bill.”
Trump finally spoke up. “I’m very disappointed in Elon,” he said from the Oval Office.
Musk immediately fired back on X. He accused Trump of hypocrisy, slammed the spending plan as wasteful, and dropped a political bomb: he claimed Trump appears in the sealed Jeffrey Epstein files. Musk didn’t provide evidence but insisted this was why the records remain secret.
He then shared a post calling for Trump’s impeachment and criticized the president’s economic policies. The billionaire warned that Trump’s tariffs could push the country into a recession this year.
The drama escalated when Trump responded on Truth Social. He threatened to strip Musk’s companies — SpaceX and Starlink — of federal contracts. “The easiest way to save money in our Budget — Billions and Billions of Dollars — is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts,” Trump wrote.
“Go ahead, make my day,” Musk shot back within minutes.
That same day, Musk announced SpaceX would begin retiring its Dragon spacecraft, which has long transported astronauts and cargo to the International Space Station. He made the move look like a direct response to Trump’s threat, although no timeline was provided.
Without offering proof, Musk repeated his earlier accusation: “Trump is in the Epstein files. That’s the real reason they haven’t been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!”
The fallout happened fast — much like their relationship began. After their blow-up, Musk’s businesses suffered. Tesla stock plunged over 14%, wiping out nearly $150 billion from the company’s market value. Musk himself lost $20 billion in personal wealth tied to his Tesla shares.
Their alliance once seemed unbreakable. Musk donated more than $250 million to support Trump’s 2024 campaign and helped shape the Department of Government Efficiency. He attended Cabinet meetings, gave political advice, and even spent nights in the Lincoln Bedroom.
Musk stood behind Trump as he took the oath of office. He flew with the president on Air Force One, joined weekend retreats at Mar-a-Lago, and even appeared on stage at a rally in October wearing a MAGA hat.
In a brutal turn, Musk posted: “Without me, Trump would have lost the election. Such ingratitude.”
Their relationship had started after Trump survived an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally in July. Days later, Musk launched a political action committee backing Trump. He became a regular presence on the campaign trail and in Trump’s inner circle.
Trump showed his appreciation by purchasing a red Tesla three months ago. But last week, Musk held a somber press conference in the Oval Office. He wore a black eye, which he claimed came from his toddler — though some viewed it as symbolic of his bruising political experience.
Trump couldn’t resist a jab. “I said, ‘Do you want a little makeup? We’ll get you a little makeup,’” he told reporters.
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As Musk continued criticizing the new budget on X, Trump dismissed the complaints. “He only has a problem with it because it rolls back EV tax credits,” Trump said.
“False,” Musk replied. “This bill was never shown to me. It passed in the dead of night. Most of Congress didn’t even read it!”
He accused Trump of stuffing the bill with “DISGUSTING PORK” and said he’d support the spending cuts if the excess was removed.
Another point of conflict involved Jared Isaacman, a billionaire pilot whom Musk backed to lead NASA. Trump recently withdrew Isaacman’s nomination, calling him “totally a Democrat.”
Musk slammed that decision and began reposting old Trump tweets from a decade ago when the former businessman criticized Republican spending. “Where is the man who wrote these words?” Musk asked. “Was he replaced by a body double!?”
White House officials tracked the social media back-and-forth like a live TV show. Staff shared memes, laughed at the rapid escalations, and tried to assess the fallout. Some believed the drama might actually help Trump politically, as similar feuds have in the past.
But others warned of serious consequences. SpaceX plays a central role in several government initiatives, including satellite communications, defense systems, and crewed space missions. Any breakdown in the relationship between Musk and the administration could delay projects and force new partnerships.
Musk’s comments about the Epstein files also created legal and reputational risks. Though there’s no public evidence supporting his claim, the suggestion itself attracted attention from journalists, lawmakers, and activists demanding transparency.
The financial cost was already clear. Tesla’s market plunge followed Trump’s statements and hints of canceled contracts. While Tesla doesn’t depend on federal deals as directly as SpaceX, the fallout shook investor confidence. Analysts at Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley issued alerts about the company’s exposure to political risk.
Meanwhile, Musk’s supporters within the GOP began asking questions. If Trump was willing to attack Musk, would other donors be safe? Would business leaders step back from politics out of fear of similar retaliation?
The split also cast doubt on Musk’s future involvement in the 2026 midterms. His political action committee had planned a major advertising push across swing states. Now, that campaign appears to be paused indefinitely.
Still, some insiders believe this feud could blow over. Trump has a history of falling out with allies — only to reconcile later. But Thursday’s exchanges felt more final than most. The attacks were personal, the threats real, and the financial impact immediate.
“I helped Elon a lot,” Trump said in the Oval Office. “And this is how he thanks me.”
He also took aim at ex-officials who become critics. “Some people who leave the administration miss it so badly, they become hostile. It’s Trump Derangement Syndrome, I guess they call it.”
Musk’s final posts of the day didn’t show signs of reconciliation. He mocked Trump’s record, criticized the budget again, and vowed to keep pushing for fiscal reform. His tone was sharp, not conciliatory.
Outside the West Wing, Trump’s red Tesla remained parked. Just weeks ago, it had symbolized a friendship rooted in business and politics. Now, it looked like a relic — the last visible trace of a bond that once soared high but crashed fast.
The fight between Trump and Musk isn’t just about policy. It reflects the dangers of mixing political power with private influence. When friendships at the highest levels fall apart, the effects ripple through markets, government programs, and public trust.
As of Friday, neither side had made moves to patch things up. Trump returned to preparing for international talks and domestic rallies. Musk resumed his focus on space tech and AI.
But in a campaign cycle already filled with division and spectacle, this public feud may be one of the most unforgettable — a once-powerful alliance now engulfed in digital fire.
