- Trump and Musk's alliance collapses over policy disputes, with Trump stating he asked Musk to leave.
- Musk counters on X, claiming Trump's 2024 victory hinged on his support.
- The rift stems from Musk's public criticism of Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill," which he labeled a "disgusting abomination" for its fiscal impact.
A Public Breakup Over Policy
Donald Trump and Elon Musk's once-cooperative relationship has dissolved into a public feud, with Trump revealing he asked Musk to step away from his advisory role. The former president cited Musk's growing criticism as the reason, stating the Tesla CEO "was wearing thin." Musk, in turn, took to his social media platform X to assert that Trump "would have lost the 2024 election without me," framing his support as pivotal to Republican success.
The clash escalated over Trump's flagship legislative package, the "Big Beautiful Bill," which Musk lambasted for its impact on the federal deficit. Musk's departure from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) marks a sharp reversal from his brief tenure, where he pushed for aggressive spending cuts but faced stiff resistance.
Market and Political Fallout
The fallout extends beyond personal tensions, with implications for both Trump's policy agenda and Musk's ventures. While Tesla and SpaceX remain financially robust, the public spat could strain Musk's ties to political allies. Meanwhile, Trump's reform efforts may lose momentum without Musk's private-sector credibility. Attempts to reach representatives for both men were unsuccessful.
Correction: An earlier version misstated the timeline of Musk's departure; he left DOGE prior to the latest comments.