The once strong relationship between Elon Musk and Donald Trump has unravelled into a public feud that has attracted widespread attention in political and business circles. Once allies during the 2024 U.S. presidential election, where Musk offered substantial financial and public support to Trump, the two now find themselves engaged in a hostile conflict. The fallout, which started in early June 2025, has since escalated, exposing deep divisions over policy, personal loyalty, and political direction. As of early July 2025, the dispute remains unresolved, with both sides digging in further.
The feud began on June 4, 2025, when Musk openly criticised Trump’s proposed economic legislation known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The bill promised tax cuts, a reduction in Medicaid spending, and an increase in border security funding. However, it also carried a high projected cost that would raise the federal deficit. Musk, who was appointed to co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside Vivek Ramaswamy, took to X (formerly Twitter) to denounce the bill. Calling it a “disgusting abomination,” Musk accused the administration of abandoning its promise to curb unnecessary spending.
Adding to the tensions, Musk was reportedly upset over Trump’s decision to remove Jared Isaacman from the post of NASA administrator. Isaacman was a known ally of Musk and a familiar face within the space community. The dismissal was interpreted by Musk as a personal slight, aggravating the already strained relationship. Until then, Musk had played a critical role in supporting Trump’s election campaign, contributing over $290 million and offering strategic input. But with this policy clash and administrative reshuffling, Musk felt pushed aside.
On June 5, 2025, the disagreement moved further into the public eye. During a joint press appearance with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump addressed the issue. He accused Musk of opposing the bill due to provisions that would reduce electric vehicle subsidies, potentially affecting Tesla’s interests. Trump, appearing visibly frustrated, remarked that while he once had a good relationship with Musk, he was no longer sure where they stood. He went so far as to say Musk might be suffering from “Trump derangement syndrome.”
Musk, watching the event live, responded instantly on X. He stated that Trump would not have won the election without his support. He also referred to the legislation as the “Big Ugly Spending Bill.” In one of his more controversial moments, Musk shared a now-deleted post that appeared to endorse calls for Trump’s impeachment. In the same post, he made a provocative statement, referencing Trump’s alleged connection to Jeffrey Epstein and claiming the former president’s name appeared in “the Epstein files.”
By June 6, the situation had further deteriorated. Steve Bannon, a longtime Trump advisor, entered the conversation. He publicly suggested that the government should investigate Musk’s citizenship status and consider seizing SpaceX. Musk fired back by calling Bannon a criminal. Trump, not one to stay silent, responded on Truth Social by stating that the government could save billions by cancelling Musk’s contracts. This included major deals with NASA and the Department of Defense, both crucial for SpaceX. The statement was widely interpreted as a direct threat to Musk’s businesses.
The market responded quickly and negatively. Tesla’s stock dropped by over 14 percent on June 6, wiping out around $150 billion in market value. Musk’s personal wealth took a sharp hit, dropping by an estimated $34 billion. Trump took the opportunity to ridicule Musk’s appearance, mocking him for what he called a “black eye” and suggested he required makeup to appear presentable. This added a personal layer to what was already a deep political and business feud.
Musk briefly threatened to take drastic action in response. He posted that SpaceX might decommission its Dragon spacecraft, which plays a key role in transporting personnel and cargo to the International Space Station. The comment received swift backlash, with critics accusing Musk of risking national interests over a personal quarrel. Musk later deleted the post and refrained from further comments about withdrawing essential space operations.
By June 7, the feud dominated news headlines across major outlets. Reports from the White House suggested that Trump had told aides that Musk had “lost his mind.” He even mentioned that he might sell the Tesla Model S he had purchased earlier in the year as a symbolic gesture of his disapproval. Meanwhile, officials within the administration tried to shift focus back to legislative priorities, but the drama between Trump and Musk continued to distract from the government’s agenda.
Musk remained active on X throughout the weekend. He warned that the bill would drive the country toward bankruptcy and urged Republican lawmakers to reject it. He also hinted at using his resources to fund primary challengers against any Republican members of Congress who supported the bill. This was perceived as a direct threat to the political establishment that Trump was trying to consolidate.
On June 8, Trump officially declared in an NBC interview that his relationship with Musk was likely over. He accused Musk of being disrespectful to the office of the presidency. He also warned that if Musk used his money to support Democratic candidates, it would provoke serious consequences. Trump floated the idea of opening investigations into Musk’s business dealings, including the way contracts had been awarded to his companies.
Musk responded in kind. He posted that he would not back down from criticising policies that he believed harmed the country’s economy. He mocked the legislative process behind the bill, calling it “amateur hour,” and continued questioning Trump’s leadership. His tone on X remained defiant, and he made it clear that he did not fear retribution.
In the first week of July, the situation had reached a stalemate. Musk had not softened his stance, continuing to rally opposition against the bill online. His posts from July 6 showed him engaging with users, explaining the bill’s drawbacks, and accusing Trump of choosing political success over responsible governance. Trump, on the other hand, had stopped mentioning Musk directly but reportedly instructed his aides to look into limiting Musk’s influence within the administration.
The split has also caused visible divisions within the Republican Party. Some lawmakers, especially those aligned with fiscal conservatism, sympathised with Musk’s objections. Others remained loyal to Trump, supporting the bill and downplaying Musk’s criticisms. This internal division has made it harder for the administration to rally full support behind its legislative proposals.
Musk’s role in DOGE has come under scrutiny due to his public opposition to the bill. DOGE, a department tasked with cutting $2 trillion in government expenses, was supposed to reflect fiscal discipline. Musk’s criticism of a spending-heavy bill has led to questions about how seriously the administration takes DOGE’s mission. At the same time, there are rumours that Musk might resign from DOGE if the bill passes.
The financial consequences of the feud continue to unfold. Tesla’s market value remains lower than it was before the conflict began. Although SpaceX’s contracts have not been cancelled, the threat lingers, and any action against them would affect the country’s space programs. The impact has been real, not just for Musk personally but for the broader sectors tied to his enterprises.
Public opinion is divided. Some people have applauded Musk for standing firm against what they view as reckless government spending. Others, particularly among Trump supporters, see Musk’s actions as betrayal. Terms like “globalist” have resurfaced in online discourse, used by critics to question Musk’s loyalty. Meanwhile, his defenders highlight the irony of being labelled anti-Trump after playing a crucial role in the 2024 campaign.
