WASHINGTON — It began with quiet frustration behind closed doors. It ended with a public war of words between two of the most powerful men in the United States.
Just days ago, President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk were still on speaking terms. Musk had been one of Trump’s loudest supporters online and one of his biggest financial backers, pouring nearly $300 million into Republican campaigns last year. Trump had returned the favour — giving Musk rare access to the Oval Office and even a say in federal staffing.
But on Thursday, the uneasy alliance collapsed.
Speaking to reporters during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump did not hold back. “Very disappointed,” he said of Musk. Hours later, Musk hit back online, backing a post on X that called for Trump’s impeachment. He even floated the idea of starting a new political party.
For anyone watching this relationship, the fall was swift — and shocking.
“It caught the president and the entire West Wing off guard,” a senior White House official told The Times. “Nobody thought Elon would turn so fast.”
Behind the Scenes: A Brewing Tension
Trouble had been brewing for weeks. According to White House officials, Trump had grown uneasy about Musk’s growing influence and frequent public outbursts. But he held his tongue — hoping to keep Musk in his corner ahead of the midterms.
That changed this week.
Musk took to X, his own platform, to attack Trump’s flagship tax and spending bill. He called it a “disgusting abomination” and warned he would campaign against any Republican who supported it. The bill, projected to add $2.4 trillion to the already massive national debt, has drawn fierce criticism from fiscal conservatives.
Trump, who once praised Musk as a “visionary,” privately began calling him “too unpredictable.” On Thursday, the gloves came off.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “The easiest way to save billions in taxpayer money is to terminate Elon’s government subsidies and contracts.”
That post sent Tesla’s stock tumbling 14% by the close of markets.
What Sparked the Break?
The final straw appears to have been Trump’s decision to pull the nomination of Jared Isaacman — Musk’s close friend and preferred candidate to run NASA. Isaacman, a space entrepreneur, was seen as key to pushing Musk’s space agenda.
“Elon was not happy,” said a senior official. “It was a direct blow.”
White House insiders say they had already started reining in Musk’s influence before the Isaacman snub. One aide described it as “a gradual distancing.” Trump, in a March cabinet meeting, told his team that final decisions would now rest with department heads — not with Musk.
Meanwhile, Musk was growing restless. He wanted sharper spending cuts, more control, and quicker action. But Trump’s team began pushing back.
The tension spilled into public view when Musk began slamming Trump’s bill online. Still, some inside the administration thought Musk was bluffing.
“No one expected this level of blowback,” one adviser said. “He’d been a part of the inner circle. Now he’s trying to blow it all up.”
Fallout and Uncertainty
The breakup is more than personal — it could reshape political and business futures.
For Trump, losing Musk risks alienating key voter groups: young men, online influencers, and deep-pocketed tech donors. It also raises questions about campaign cash as Republicans gear up for the midterms.
For Musk, the risks are even greater. His government contracts — from electric vehicles to space missions — could face review. Regulators may come knocking. Political cover that once shielded his companies is gone.
The White House called the feud “an unfortunate episode from Elon,” claiming he lashed out because his priorities weren’t included in the bill.
Musk declined to comment. His PAC and spokesperson did not return requests.
Can the Rift Be Repaired?
Trump and Musk were never a traditional match. One, a political brawler. The other, a tech visionary with a flair for chaos. But for a time, their alliance served them both.
That chapter may now be over.
White House aides say a phone call between the two is set for Friday. Whether it will mend the damage — or deepen the divide — remains to be seen.
Until then, the Trump-Musk fallout stands as a rare and dramatic split — not just between two men, but between political power and Silicon Valley clout.
