What started as a surprising political bromance between US President Donald Trump and billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk has ended in a fiery, public implosion—complete with name-calling, conspiracy theories, and serious consequences for both policy and business.
For weeks, tension had been building behind the scenes. Musk, never one to stay quiet, had begun openly criticizing Trump’s cornerstone legislation a massive spending bill designed to reshape government priorities. He wasn’t just tweeting from the sidelines either. Musk actively lobbied against it, calling it wasteful and short-sighted.
Trump, meanwhile, kept things relatively quiet—until Thursday. In a meeting with Germany’s Chancellor in the Oval Office, he let loose. The President admitted feeling “very disappointed” in Musk, who had once been given a prime role in his administration. That comment was just the spark.
What followed was a digital slugfest.
On X (formerly Twitter), Musk went nuclear—hinting, without proof, that Trump might be tied to unreleased files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The insinuation was bold. Trump hit back harder, accusing Musk of going “crazy” and revealing he was asked to leave the administration. He even threatened to strip Musk’s companies of their lucrative government contracts.
The fallout was immediate. Tesla’s stock tanked—dropping 14% and pushing the company’s market value below $1 trillion. Musk, who had threatened to shut down a crucial SpaceX spacecraft used by NASA, quietly reversed that decision hours later.
It was a messy end to a relationship that once looked like a powerful alliance.
From Power Duo to Political Enemies: A Timeline in Pictures
Just months ago, Musk and Trump were side-by-side, smiling onstage at rallies, celebrating wins, and even trading gifts.
October 2024: Musk appears at a Trump campaign rally, raising his fist next to the president.
December 2024: The two laugh together at the Army-Navy football game with Vice President JD Vance.
January 2025: Musk joins Trump at his second inauguration, mingling with other tech leaders.
March 2025: Musk wears a “Trump Was Right About Everything!” hat at a White House cabinet meeting.
Last Week: Trump gives Musk a golden key to thank him for his service in the government’s new “Department of Government Efficiency” — a satirical-sounding but very real agency known as “Doge.”