The relationship ruptured in real time online, spurred by disagreement over the deficit impact of Trump’s policy bill.
Simmering policy disagreements between President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk on June 4 devolved into open conflict after Trump criticized his former ally from the Oval Office.
After Musk ratcheted up his criticisms of Trump’s signature domestic policy bill, Trump told reporters on Thursday that he was disappointed with the Tesla CEO, alleging his attacks were driven by the bill’s rollback of clean energy tax credits.
Musk quickly shot back on his social media platform X, posting a flurry of responses and raising the prospect of abandoning the GOP entirely in favor of a new third party. Trump responded on his Truth Social platform, threatening to cancel government contracts with Musk’s companies.
The conflict escalated rapidly online, with both leveling harsh criticism at the other.
The public rupture comes just days after Musk left the administration as a special adviser for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Trump and Musk had praised each other in an Oval Office event marking the occasion.
The once-close relationship between the two, which began in 2024 after Trump narrowly survived an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, had been strained in recent weeks by disagreements over the House-passed budget bill, called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
The Republican legislation would fund and implement Trump’s agenda but has been condemned by Musk and some other Republicans for its potential impact on the federal deficit.
A Public Breakup
After days of attempting to present a unified front despite their disagreements on the budget bill, Trump indicated growing frustrations with Musk during comments to reporters from the Oval Office.
The president expressed disappointment in Musk’s criticisms of his key legislation. “Elon and I had a great relationship. I don’t know if we will anymore,” he said.
Musk immediately responded with a post on X, claiming that his campaigning for Trump turned the tide in the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania.
“Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate,” Musk said, adding, “Such ingratitude.”
Musk poured $300 million into supporting Trump in the 2024 election.
Trump said that he had been blindsided by Musk’s opposition to the GOP bill, telling reporters that Musk “knew the inner workings of the bill better than anybody sitting here.”
By Jackson Richman and Joseph Lord
