What began as one of the most surprising political alliances in recent U.S. history has now come crashing down in spectacular fashion.
Donald Trump and Elon Musk, once publicly supportive of each other, have turned on one another in a dramatic and very public feud that has sent shockwaves through politics, tech, and the stock market.
Trump Unleashes on Musk from the Oval Office
The clash erupted when Trump, visibly irritated during a televised address from the Oval Office, expressed how “very disappointed” he was in Elon Musk.
The billionaire had just criticized Trump’s new spending proposal—what the former president had proudly dubbed his “big, beautiful bill.”
With German Chancellor Friedrich Merz awkwardly observing the moment, Trump vented about how much he had “helped Elon” and lamented the end of what he called a once-great relationship.
According to Trump, things fell apart shortly after Musk departed the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—a role Trump said he’d only created to cut through federal waste with Musk’s help.
The Fight Goes Nuclear on Social Media
Things quickly got nasty online. Musk fired back in real time on X (formerly Twitter), accusing Trump of showing “ingratitude,” especially after the $300 million Musk donated to his campaign.
Musk even made an explosive claim—without evidence—that Trump’s name appears in government files linked to Jeffrey Epstein.
“Have a nice day, DJT!” Musk added sarcastically in his post.
Musk vs. Trump: The Economic Impact
The fallout didn’t stop at words. Musk’s companies started taking hits almost immediately.
Tesla stock dropped sharply—wiping out over $100 billion in value—as Musk threatened to pull the plug on a key NASA spacecraft project, the Dragon capsule, which is vital to American space missions.
While he later walked back that statement slightly, the damage was already done.
Trump, never one to back down, escalated things further by threatening to cancel all government contracts with Musk’s businesses—SpaceX, Starlink, and others.
He called Musk “crazy” and claimed cutting those deals could save the U.S. “billions and billions” in the budget.
Trouble Had Been Brewing
Many in Washington had already questioned how long the Trump-Musk alliance could hold.
Despite their seemingly cozy friendship—complete with White House sleepovers and Air Force One trips—Musk’s four-month stint running DOGE had reportedly been rocky.
He clashed with Trump’s inner circle and grew frustrated with bureaucracy.
The final straw came when Musk called Trump’s flagship second-term spending package an “abomination,” claiming it would drive up the deficit.
Musk Hints at a Political Power Move
As tensions flared, Musk began polling his followers on whether he should start a new political party—a potential game-changer in U.S. politics.
Known for his unpredictable moves and deep pockets, Musk’s hint at reshaping the political landscape is no idle threat.
He’s already hinted at supporting or opposing Republican candidates based on how they align with his views.
Meanwhile, Trump loyalist Steve Bannon upped the ante by reportedly suggesting Musk should be deported, according to the New York Times.
Where Do Things Go From Here?
With government contracts on the line, a major tech stock in freefall, and two massive egos in open combat, this isn’t just a spat—it’s a crisis with real political and economic consequences.
Whether Trump and Musk can patch things up or if this is truly the end of their alliance remains to be seen.