The Cold War Between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk: A Public Falling-Out

chain-stats (73)in #elonmusk • 2 months ago

In a dramatic turn of events, the once-close relationship between U.S. President Donald Trump and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has deteriorated into a public feud, marked by personal insults, financial threats, and political posturing. This rift, which erupted in June 2025, has captured widespread attention due to the high-profile nature of both figures and their significant influence on American politics and business. Here’s a breakdown of the current tension, its origins, and its potential implications for a Steemit post by chain-stats.

The Roots of the Alliance

The relationship between Trump and Musk began with mutual admiration during the 2024 presidential campaign. Musk, previously a Democratic donor, emerged as a staunch supporter of Trump, contributing nearly $300 million to his campaign and other Republican causes. His support was solidified after an assassination attempt on Trump in July 2024, when Musk publicly endorsed him on X, stating, “I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery.” This alliance grew stronger as Musk became a frequent presence at Trump’s side, appearing at campaign rallies, the White House, and even co-leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside Vivek Ramaswamy to curb federal spending.

Musk’s role in DOGE was significant, as he spearheaded efforts to slash government expenditure, proposing a 75% reduction in the federal workforce and the elimination of agencies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Trump praised Musk’s involvement, even declaring, “A star is born — Elon!” during his victory speech. The duo’s camaraderie was evident, with Musk famously stating on X in February 2025, “I love @realDonaldTrump as much as a straight man can love another man.”

The Breaking Point: The “Big Beautiful Bill”

The turning point came with the Republican-backed “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a sweeping tax and spending package that advanced Trump’s domestic policy priorities, including tax cuts and immigration enforcement. The bill, passed by the House in May 2025, faced criticism for increasing the federal deficit by an estimated $2.4 trillion over a decade. Musk, who had championed fiscal restraint through DOGE, publicly denounced the bill as a “disgusting abomination” on X, arguing it would exacerbate the national debt and undermine his cost-cutting efforts.

Tensions escalated on June 5, 2025, when Trump, during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, expressed disappointment in Musk, stating, “Elon and I had a great relationship. I don’t know if we will anymore.” Trump suggested Musk’s opposition stemmed from the bill’s elimination of electric vehicle (EV) tax credits, which directly impacted Tesla’s bottom line. Musk fired back, claiming, “Without me, Trump would have lost the election,” and accused the bill of being passed “in the dead of night” without his input.

Escalation: Personal Attacks and Financial Threats

The feud quickly turned personal. Trump threatened to cut billions in government subsidies and contracts for Musk’s companies, including Tesla, SpaceX, and Starlink, posting on Truth Social, “The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts.” This threat led to a 14.3% plunge in Tesla’s stock, wiping out approximately $150 billion in market value in a single day.

Musk retaliated with a barrage of posts on X, including a provocative claim that Trump’s name appeared in the Jeffrey Epstein files, alleging this was why the documents remained unreleased. He provided no evidence for this accusation, which the White House condemned as “an unfortunate episode” driven by Musk’s dissatisfaction with the bill. Musk also briefly threatened to decommission SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, a critical asset for NASA, though he later reversed this stance.

The feud saw further escalation when Musk endorsed a post calling for Trump’s impeachment and replacement by Vice President JD Vance, while Trump accused Musk of “Trump Derangement Syndrome” and claimed he had fired him from DOGE, a claim Musk called “an obvious lie.”

Underlying Causes of the Rift

Several factors contributed to the breakdown:

Policy Disagreements: Musk’s criticism of the bill was rooted in his fiscal conservatism, clashing with Trump’s willingness to increase the deficit for his agenda. The removal of EV subsidies, which Musk claimed he was fine with if paired with broader spending cuts, added fuel to the fire.
Personal Egos: Both Trump and Musk are known for their larger-than-life personalities and intolerance for criticism. Observers had long predicted a clash between these “alpha males,” with one House Republican noting, “I knew it was a matter of time before the two would explode.”
Administrative Tensions: Musk’s tenure in DOGE was marked by conflicts with Trump’s cabinet and aides, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Office of Presidential Personnel Director Sergio Gor. The withdrawal of Musk’s ally Jared Isaacman’s NASA nomination was perceived by Musk as a personal slight.
Business Interests: Musk’s companies, particularly Tesla, faced financial strain due to backlash from his political activities and the loss of EV incentives. Trump’s tariffs, which Musk warned could trigger a recession, further threatened his businesses reliant on global supply chains.

Implications and Current Status

The public fallout has significant implications. For Trump, losing Musk’s financial and political support could weaken Republican prospects in the 2026 midterms, especially if Musk follows through on his threat to curtail political donations or bankroll a new party. For Musk, the feud has already cost Tesla billions in market value and risks further damage to his companies’ government contracts.

As of June 6, 2025, signs of a possible détente emerged, with White House aides scheduling a call between Trump and Musk to broker peace. Billionaire Bill Ackman urged reconciliation, to which Musk responded, “You’re not wrong.” However, Trump later told CNN, “I’m not even thinking about Elon. He’s got a problem,” suggesting the rift remains deep.

The feud has also sparked reactions from Republican lawmakers. Some, like Rep. Tim Burchett, sided with Trump, while fiscal hawks like Rep. Thomas Massie expressed concerns about the bill’s deficit impact, aligning with Musk’s critique. House Speaker Mike Johnson downplayed Musk’s influence, stating, “I don’t argue with him about how to build rockets, and I wish he wouldn’t argue with me about how to craft legislation.”

Conclusion

The Trump-Musk feud is a clash of titans, driven by policy disputes, personal egos, and competing visions for America’s future. What began as a “bromance” has unraveled into a public spectacle, with both men leveraging their social media platforms to air grievances. As the bill moves to the Senate, the fallout could reshape political alliances and impact the tech industry, government spending, and the broader political landscape. For now, the world watches as two of the most powerful figures in the U.S. navigate this high-stakes breakup.

Sources:

AI Disclaimer: This article was written with the assistance of Grok, an AI developed by xAI, designed to provide accurate and up-to-date information. The content has been carefully curated and fact-checked to ensure reliability, but readers are encouraged to verify details through the provided sources.

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2 months ago in #elonmusk by chain-stats (73)

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