Elon Musk’s rise as a pivotal figure in Donald Trump’s political ecosystem gained prominence during Trump’s first term and intensified ahead of the 2024 campaign. Musk served on multiple advisory councils—most notably leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—and made a personal remark, “I love @realDonaldTrump as much as a straight man can love another man”. In 2024, Musk reportedly contributed in excess of $250 million toward Trump and Republican efforts, using X (then Twitter) to boost conservative narratives and suppress Democratic voices.
However, a rift emerged in early June 2025, centering on Trump’s signature “One Big Beautiful Bill”—a sweeping tax-and-spending measure. Musk publicly denounced it as a “disgusting abomination” on X, with this post triggering a fierce backlash from the Trump camp. Trump retaliated by threatening to withdraw Tesla and SpaceX subsidies and government contracts, and even hinted at seizing government assets from Musk’s companies .
What followed was a public war of words. Musk replied with memes, resurfaced old tweets, and made explosive allegations linking Trump to Jeffrey Epstein. He also floated the idea of forming a new centrist party and briefly threatened to decommission SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft—a move later reversed after widespread concern. Trump struck back by labeling Musk “crazy” and warning of retaliation through financial cuts.
The feud quickly expanded beyond personal jabs to tangible stakes. Tesla shares plunged around 14–15%, erasing roughly $150 billion in market value, while Trump Media also saw declines. Musk’s grip on conservative influencers on X started to falter as some users and donors reconsidered their allegiances. Government contracts for Musk’s ventures were suddenly at risk, with Trump allies even suggesting Musk could be deported or investigated over immigration or alleged misconduct.
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By June 6, 2025, reports indicate that White House aides had arranged—but ultimately canceled—a planned call between Trump and Musk, underscoring the depth of their falling‑out . With their once-close alliance now severed, both men face significant political and economic consequences. Musk’s position as a boardroom kingmaker has weakened, while Trump risks alienating a major donor base and segment of tech-aligned voters.
In short, what began as a close political alignment evolved into one of the most public and consequential feuds involving two of America’s most influential figures. Their clash—played out in politics, boardrooms, and social media—marks a turning point with wide implications for governance, tech influence, and election dynamics.
