An intense public feud erupted in early June 2025 between President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, marking a sharp break from their previously close relationship. The conflict began when Musk criticized Trump’s massive tax and domestic policy bill, calling it a "disgusting abomination" that would increase the budget deficit, surprising many Republican leaders15.
Musk, once a fervent Trump supporter and a regular at the White House, had recently led the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a government initiative under Trump aimed at cutting bureaucracy and reducing wasteful spending. Musk’s departure from this role was announced shortly after his public disapproval of the bill. Trump held a farewell event for Musk but insisted Musk was "not really leaving" and would remain involved occasionally5.
The feud escalated when Musk shared decades-old statements from Trump and other Republicans expressing concern about government spending, highlighting what Musk saw as hypocrisy. Trump responded sharply, threatening to cancel government contracts with Musk’s companies. The dispute quickly spread across social media platforms, with Musk using his ownership of X (formerly Twitter) to launch frequent and pointed critiques against Trump, while Trump’s responses on his less influential platform, Truth Social, were comparatively restrained16.
Musk hinted at a potential political power struggle, even suggesting the creation of a third political party. He asserted that Trump’s 2024 election victory depended heavily on his support and warned followers that they might have to choose between him and Trump. Musk emphasized his long-term presence in politics compared to Trump’s remaining presidential term, signaling a challenge to Trump’s influence within the Republican Party4.
Despite Musk’s significant wealth and control of a major social media platform, most Republican power players still side with Trump. Polls before the feud showed that while Republicans generally approved of Musk’s influence, they remained more loyal to Trump. However, the public break could erode Musk’s standing among Republicans if the conflict continues4.
The fallout from this feud has had immediate financial repercussions. Tesla’s stock declined amid investor concerns about Musk’s political distractions, while shares of Trump’s media company also fell. The public spat has been described as one of the most dramatic social media battles in recent years, with Musk’s aggressive posting style overshadowing Trump’s attempts to respond6.
This rupture marks the end of a once close alliance. Musk had previously shown strong support for Trump, including attending rallies and publicly endorsing him as the candidate to "preserve democracy in America." He also worked alongside Trump and former GOP contender Vivek Ramaswamy in DOGE to streamline government operations. However, tensions grew as Musk’s vision for government efficiency clashed with Trump’s legislative agenda5.
In summary, the Musk-Trump feud centers on stark disagreements over fiscal policy and political influence, with Musk leveraging his social media power and wealth to challenge Trump’s leadership within the Republican Party. The outcome remains uncertain, but the conflict highlights the shifting dynamics between two of America’s most influential figures1456.
