Washington, June 6, 2025: Maybe it was always destined to end like this: two billionaires trading barbs in real-time across social media, their fingers flying as their feud blazed across the internet for all to see. But if the collapse of the Trump-Musk alliance was predictable, the scale of its fallout has still sent shockwaves through Washington.
After months of apparent alignment in their joint effort to disrupt the political establishment, the relationship between President Donald Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk imploded this week, dramatically and very publicly.
It began with Musk criticizing a central piece of Trump’s legislative agenda. At first, the president appeared to brush off the remarks. But tensions escalated quickly. Trump later admitted to being “disappointed” in Musk, prompting a torrent of social media attacks from the Tesla and SpaceX CEO.
Musk accused the president of betraying promises to cut federal spending, floated the idea of impeachment, and, without providing evidence, suggested the government was hiding details about Trump’s ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In perhaps the most pointed jab, Musk claimed Trump would not have won the 2024 election without his support.
President Trump hit back swiftly. He posted that Musk had been “wearing thin,” that he had “asked him to leave” the administration, and claimed the billionaire entrepreneur had “gone CRAZY.” Trump even hinted at retaliatory measures, threatening to cancel government contracts and subsidies tied to Musk’s companies.
The spat continued to escalate, with liberals reveling in the implosion and conservatives divided, unsure whether to stand by the president or his powerful former ally. Conservative provocateur Laura Loomer commented, “This fight should be taken offline” — ironically, via social media.
The consequences of the rift could be enormous. At stake are not just egos, but the future of major federal policies, Musk’s corporate ventures, and potentially, the political direction of the Republican Party ahead of the 2026 midterms.
From federal reliance on Musk’s aerospace technology to Trump’s legislative agenda — including tax cuts and spending reforms — the feud threatens to disrupt a delicate political ecosystem that had relied heavily on the synergy between Trump’s populist momentum and Musk’s technological influence.
“It’s like India and Pakistan,” remarked Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke of Montana, referencing two nuclear powers that recently clashed along their border. “It just escalates, and neither seems to back down or respect the strength of the other.”
Their alliance had always seemed unlikely. Trump, 78, hails from New York real estate and built a political persona on suits, slogans, and spectacle. Musk, 53, is a South African-born Silicon Valley disruptor who dresses in black and styles himself as an internet provocateur. His personal wealth eclipses Trump’s, and his ventures — Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter) — have made him one of the most influential figures in tech.
Yet, they shared key traits: a flair for attention, disdain for bureaucratic inertia, and bold, often controversial visions of the future. Trump railed against the federal “deep state,” while Musk warned of national bankruptcy and championed space colonization as a path to humanity’s survival.
Musk’s endorsement of Trump — especially after the near-assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania — came with millions in campaign contributions and an influential digital loudspeaker that amplified Trump’s message among tech elites and younger voters.
In the weeks following Trump’s return to office, Musk became a fixture at Mar-a-Lago, attending dinners, meetings, and eventually receiving a top post overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency.
But the alliance began to fracture publicly earlier this week when Musk slammed the administration’s economic package, calling it a “disgusting abomination.” Trump, initially restrained, said during an Oval Office meeting with the German Chancellor, “He hasn’t said anything personal yet — but I’m sure that’s coming.”
It did. Musk unleashed a scathing thread on X, accusing Trump of lying, warning that new tariffs would push the country into recession, and calling it “very unfair” that the bill eliminated EV tax credits.
Trump fired back immediately. “I don’t mind Elon turning against me — but he should’ve done it months ago,” he posted. “This is one of the greatest bills ever presented to Congress.”
Behind the scenes, Trump allies were reportedly already plotting payback. Former White House strategist Steve Bannon called for the federal government to seize SpaceX and urged an investigation into Musk’s alleged drug use and immigration history.
“We’ll see how Elon Musk handles a little pressure,” Bannon said. “Because I think a lot more of it is coming.”
As the feud deepens, Washington — and much of the world — is watching with a mix of fascination and alarm. Whether this rift is temporary or permanent remains unclear. But one thing is certain: the breakup of Donald Trump and Elon Musk is one of the most consequential political divorces in recent memory — and its aftershocks are only just beginning.
