WASHINGTON, June 6 – The bond between Donald Trump and Elon Musk, once one of the most unconventional yet formidable political alliances in recent memory, has seemingly crumbled into open hostility.
On Wednesday, in a closed-door meeting with senior officials at the White House, Trump expressed both confusion and frustration about Musk’s increasingly vocal criticism of his latest tax and spending bill. According to two officials present, Trump was visibly irritated but stopped short of addressing Musk directly. His restraint, they believed, stemmed from a strategic desire to maintain Musk’s support in the lead-up to the crucial midterm elections.
But that composure didn’t last.
By Thursday afternoon, Trump’s patience had snapped. Having received no communication from Musk since the barrage of online criticisms began, Trump’s mood had shifted. Aides said he was particularly angered by what he considered a “wild and unhinged” rant Musk had posted on X — formerly Twitter — where the tech mogul described Trump’s economic plan as “fiscally reckless” and “a disgusting abomination.” Musk went further, declaring he would oppose any Republican who supported the bill, The legislation is projected to drive up government spending significantly, potentially pushing the national debt—already beyond $36 trillion—higher by another $2.4 trillion over the coming decade.
Trump, privately calling Musk “unpredictable,” decided the time for diplomacy was over. Speaking to the press while seated beside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office, Trump openly expressed disappointment in the man he once considered a trusted adviser. Moments later, Musk retaliated on social media, reigniting a public spat that quickly turned personal and deeply political.
Trump escalated the feud by threatening to cut off federal subsidies and contracts that benefit Musk’s companies. “One of the quickest ways to save the American people billions of dollars is to end taxpayer support for Elon’s ventures,” he wrote on Truth Social. In response, Musk floated the idea of starting a new political party and endorsed a post on X calling for Trump’s impeachment.
This war of words marked a sharp and unexpected end to a relationship that had once been mutually beneficial and politically potent. Musk, who reportedly contributed close to $300 million to support Trump and allied Republican campaigns in the previous election cycle, had been a fixture in both Trump’s public image and policy discussions. The billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX had not only supported the president financially but also served as an informal adviser on various tech and infrastructure initiatives.
Officials described Musk as both a disruptor and a key influence within the administration, often pushing for radical cuts in federal spending through his self-styled “Department of Government Efficiency” advisory group. He wielded considerable influence over economic and tech policy while amplifying Trump’s agenda across his vast online following.
Only a week ago, Trump had hosted a farewell ceremony in Musk’s honor, where he remarked, “Elon is really not leaving.” Yet within days, the partnership had shattered. A third official from the West Wing mentioned that the sudden collapse of the relationship took everyone off guard.
Neither Musk nor his communications team responded to requests for comment. A brief White House statement characterized the situation as “an unfortunate episode from Elon, who appears upset that the One Big Beautiful Bill didn’t reflect his personal policy preferences.”
The fallout had immediate consequences beyond politics. Tesla’s stock plummeted by 14% following the very public spat, as investors worried about the future of the company’s government ties. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers, some of whom were relying on Musk’s support, were left scrambling to distance themselves from the controversy without alienating either figure.
For Trump, the split could have long-term implications. Musk’s departure from his inner circle may reduce the president’s appeal among tech-savvy younger voters and wealthy donors who admired Musk’s bold, contrarian persona. It could also limit Trump’s reach across platforms where Musk holds sway — particularly X, where Musk’s posts regularly trend and shape public discourse.
Musk, too, faces challenges. The loss of favor in Washington could bring increased regulatory scrutiny, potential contract reviews, and damage to his carefully built image as a politically savvy entrepreneur who could work across party lines.
Those close to both men say the fallout had been brewing for some time. The final breaking point, according to Officials, came with Trump’s decision to rescind the nomination of Jared Isaacman as NASA administrator. Isaacman, a wealthy entrepreneur and close associate of Musk, was personally chosen to head the agency as a key figure in advancing Musk’s broader goal of strengthening partnerships between the private sector and government in space exploration. His withdrawal was interpreted as a deliberate snub — a move that deeply upset Musk.
Away from public view, senior officials inside the White House had started quietly limiting Musk’s involvement and reducing his behind-the-scenes authority. Senior aides began quietly curbing his role in staffing and budgeting decisions. Trump, earlier in March, had explicitly instructed cabinet members that ultimate authority rested with department heads — not Musk.
Though Musk had signaled growing dissatisfaction with his limited role in government, many assumed the bond between him and Trump would endure. He had expressed a desire to continue helping shape policy but had become increasingly outspoken in his frustration over the administration’s unwillingness to enact deeper spending cuts.
Despite Musk’s recent tirades and threats to reduce political contributions, officials within the White House say they remain confident in the passage of Trump’s signature legislation. One senior aide shrugged off the impact of Musk’s opposition, saying, “We’ve lost a cheerleader, but not the game.”
Still, the speed and scope of the fallout shocked many observers.
According to one White House official, a call between Trump and Musk has been scheduled for Friday, though no time has been confirmed. Whether this last-ditch effort at dialogue can mend the rift remains uncertain.
The political world, meanwhile, watches closely — witnessing the transformation of two towering allies into bitter adversaries.