In a dramatic turn of events, the once-close alliance between tech billionaire Elon Musk and U.S. President Donald Trump has erupted into a highly publicized feud, captivating political observers and shaking financial markets. What began as a disagreement over policy has escalated into personal attacks, threats, and explosive allegations, playing out across social media platforms and mainstream media. This article delves into the origins, key moments, and implications of this extraordinary clash between two of the world’s most influential figures as of June 5, 2025.
The Roots of the Rift
The relationship between Musk and Trump, often described as a "bromance," was built on mutual admiration and shared goals. Musk, the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and X, was a major financial backer of Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, contributing over $250 million to pro-Trump efforts. Following Trump’s victory, Musk took on a significant role as a special government employee, leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to slash federal spending. Trump praised Musk effusively, calling him “a genius” and likening him to Thomas Edison during a rally in Washington. Musk, in turn, referred to himself as Trump’s “first buddy” and celebrated their partnership.
However, tensions simmered beneath the surface. Musk’s aggressive cost-cutting measures at DOGE, which included disrupting federal agencies and proposing cuts to programs like Social Security, drew criticism from both Republicans and Democrats. By May 30, 2025, Musk stepped down from his government role, citing a need to focus on his businesses. The cordial Oval Office send-off, where Trump presented Musk with a symbolic “Key to the White House,” masked underlying frustrations.
The spark that ignited the public feud was Musk’s vocal opposition to Trump’s signature tax and spending bill, dubbed the “Big, Beautiful Bill.” The legislation, which passed the House in May 2025 and is under Senate consideration, includes tax breaks, increased defense spending, and a $4 trillion debt ceiling increase. Musk, who had campaigned for fiscal restraint, called the bill a “disgusting abomination” on X, arguing it would balloon the federal deficit. “This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong,” Musk posted on June 3.
Escalation in the Oval Office
On June 5, 2025, Trump addressed Musk’s criticisms during a press conference in the Oval Office alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Visibly somber, Trump expressed disappointment, saying, “I’m very disappointed in Elon. I’ve helped Elon a lot. Elon and I had a great relationship. I don’t know if we will anymore.” He accused Musk of opposing the bill due to self-interest, specifically the phase-out of electric vehicle (EV) tax credits that benefit Tesla. “Elon knew the inner workings of this bill better than almost anybody sitting here. All of a sudden he had a problem, and he only developed the problem when he found out that we’re going to have to cut the EV mandate,” Trump said.
Trump also took a personal jab, mocking Musk’s appearance at their final joint press conference on May 30, where Musk sported a black eye he attributed to his five-year-old son. “You saw a man who was very happy when he stood behind the Oval desk. Even with a black eye. I said, do you want a little makeup? He said, no, I don’t think so. Which is interesting,” Trump remarked.
Musk’s Social Media Barrage
Musk responded in real-time on X, his social media platform, escalating the conflict with a barrage of posts. He dismissed Trump’s claims about the EV credits, writing, “Keep the EV/solar incentive cuts in the bill, even though no oil & gas subsidies are touched (very unfair!!), but ditch the MOUNTAIN of DISGUSTING PORK in the bill.” Musk also took credit for Trump’s electoral success, stating, “Without me, Trump would have lost the election. Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate. Such ingratitude.”
In a stunning escalation, Musk posted an unsubstantiated claim that shook political circles: “Time to drop the really big bomb: realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!” This accusation, referencing unreleased files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, lacked evidence and drew immediate backlash. The FBI, when contacted by BBC News, declined to comment on the matter. Democrats, including Representative Dan Goldman of New York, seized on the claim, renewing calls for the release of the Epstein files. “I called for the full release of the Epstein Files a month ago because of my suspicion that Attorney General Pam Bondi was concealing the files to protect Donald Trump. Now my suspicion has been confirmed,” Goldman wrote on X.
Musk further inflamed the situation by endorsing a post suggesting Trump’s impeachment and replacement by Vice President JD Vance. “President vs Elon. Who wins? My money’s on Elon. Trump should be impeached and [Vice President] JD Vance should replace him,” an X user wrote, to which Musk appeared to agree. He also warned that Trump’s proposed tariffs could push the U.S. into a recession, a direct challenge to the administration’s economic agenda.
Trump’s Counterattack
Trump, known for his combative style, hit back on Truth Social, his own platform. “Elon was ‘wearing thin,’ I asked him to leave, I took away his EV mandate … and he just went CRAZY,” Trump posted. He threatened to cut government contracts with Musk’s companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, which rely on billions in federal funding. “The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts,” Trump wrote. This threat sent Tesla’s stock plummeting 14.3% on June 5, erasing about $150 billion in market value.
Trump also disputed Musk’s claim about his electoral impact, asserting he would have won key battleground states like Pennsylvania regardless of Musk’s support. “Elon endorsed me very strongly. I think I would have won – Susie would say I would have won Pennsylvania easily anyway,” Trump said, referencing his chief of staff Susie Wiles. In a more restrained tone, Trump later posted, “I don’t mind Elon turning against me, but he should have done so months ago.”
The Fallout and Implications
The public spat has far-reaching consequences. Tesla’s stock plunge reflects investor concerns about Musk’s divided attention and the potential loss of government contracts. SpaceX, a critical player in U.S. space exploration, faces uncertainty as Musk announced plans to decommission its Dragon spacecraft in response to Trump’s threats. Analysts suggest the feud could impact Musk’s other ventures, including xAI, and his political influence, as he has hinted at funding a new centrist political party.
Politically, the feud has exposed divisions within the Republican Party. Some Trump allies, like Stephen Bannon, have long criticized Musk’s influence and are now advocating for investigations into his businesses. Democrats, meanwhile, are capitalizing on the chaos, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer noting, “Even Elon Musk, who’s been part of the whole process, and is one of Trump’s buddies, said the bill is bad.”
The personal nature of the feud, marked by Musk’s Epstein accusation and Trump’s threats, has raised questions about the stability of Trump’s administration. “The chaos within the Trump administration was shown a few minutes ago when Elon Musk called Peter Navarro, the chief architect of these tariffs, a moron,” Schumer said on the Senate floor, referencing an earlier Musk-Trump ally clash.
A Fractured Alliance
The Musk-Trump feud, which moved from policy disagreements to personal attacks in mere hours, underscores the volatility of their relationship. Once united by a shared vision of disrupting the status quo, the two men now appear locked in a battle of egos and influence. As Musk wrote on X, “Trump has 3.5 years left as president, but I will be around for 40-plus years.” Whether this marks the end of their alliance or a temporary storm remains to be seen, but the fallout is already reshaping the political and economic landscape.
As the Senate debates Trump’s bill and Musk redirects his focus to his businesses, the world watches to see how this clash of titans will unfold. For now, the public feud has proven that even the most powerful alliances can fracture under the weight of ambition and ideology.
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