Recently, the relationship between Musk and Trump has deteriorated, leading to public outbursts on social networks, causing market concerns and a dual drop in stocks and cryptocurrencies.
Looking back to November 2022, Trump boldly announced his run for the 2024 election, but Musk initially did not engage - he was first supporting Florida Governor DeSantis. It wasn't until July 2024, after the assassination attempt on Trump in Pennsylvania, that the tone changed: Musk suddenly passionately backed him on X, donating money and sharing posts, transforming into "the number one fan." This maneuver had significant effects - after Trump's victory, Musk was appointed the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
But good times didn't last long. Ultimately, on June 5, 2025, the two completely fell out over the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," performing the standard procedure of "unfollowing + subtle jabs."
Now, let's review and summarize the key interactions between the two in recent years to analyze this relationship.
Early interactions and initial doubts (before 2024)
November 2016 - Musk expressed doubts about Trump's presidency: 'I feel more strongly that he is not the right choice. He seems not to reflect the character of America well.'
June 2017 - Musk resigned from the presidential advisory council due to the Paris Climate Agreement withdrawal: 'I will resign from the presidential advisory council. Climate change is real. Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is harmful to both the US and the world.'
January 2022 - Trump praised Musk: 'One of the greatest geniuses in the world,' 'one of our very smart people'; 'I have never seen an engine land without wings or anything.'
July 2022 - Trump attacked Musk, and Musk retaliated: 'I don't hate the guy, but it's time for Trump to step aside.'; Trump responded: 'Another artist of nonsense'; 'Elon won't buy Twitter...'; 'He said a few days ago, 'Oh, I never voted for a Republican.' I said, 'I don't know.' He told me he voted for me. So he's another artist of nonsense.'
November 2022 - Musk restored Trump's Twitter account: 'The people have spoken. Trump will be restored. The voice of the people is the voice of God.'
Formation of the alliance: From critic to confidant (July 2024 - early 2025)
This period marked a dramatic turning point in Musk's relationship with Trump, as Musk transformed from a critic to a central figure in Trump's political circle, characterized by significant political endorsements, financial support, and a prominent presence in Trump's campaign and early administration.
July 2024 - After the assassination attempt on Trump, Musk endorsed him: "I fully support President Trump and wish him a speedy recovery." (Promised to donate approximately $45 million monthly to the PAC)
August 2024 - Musk hosted a dialogue with Trump on X, suggesting the establishment of DOGE and recommending himself for leadership: "I am willing to serve."
October 2024 - Musk first publicly campaigned with Trump: 'As you can see, I am not just MAGA - I am 'Dark MAGA.'" (Announced $1 million daily donations to swing state voters)
November 2024 - Musk and Trump spent election night together, with Trump announcing DOGE and calling himself: 'First Friend,' 'Musk and Ramaswamy jointly lead DOGE.'
December 2024 - The two cooperated to block a spending bill, with Trump responding to Musk's presidential claim: 'No, he won't be president. That won't happen.'
Peak influence and potential tensions (late 2024 - April 2025)
As Musk became more integrated into the Trump administration, leading the Department of Government Efficiency, internal and external conflicts of interest and power struggles gradually surfaced, ultimately leading to his departure.
January 2025 - Musk attended Trump's inauguration, and on the same day, he performed a salute that was 'most notably associated with the Nazis' at another event, causing controversy.
January 2025 - After Vivek Ramaswamy's exit, Musk led the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alone, claiming to have saved the government $175 billion, but this was far below his initially set target of $2 trillion and later revised goal of $1 trillion. Reports indicated that Trump’s cabinet members were 'tired of his interventions.' It was reported that Musk had a 'explosive argument' with Treasury Secretary Scott Benset in the Oval Office, with Trump nearby.
February 2025 - Trump and Musk appeared together in the Oval Office to defend DOGE's work. Trump introduced Musk, stating: 'He has sacrificed a lot through government work.' Trump also addressed concerns about conflicts of interest, saying: 'If we thought there was a lack of transparency or conflict of interest, we wouldn't have let him do that part of the work or look into that area.' When reporters asked if agency heads were unhappy with Musk's 'radical' approach, Trump dismissed the question with a smile.
March 2025 - Trump and Musk took unprecedented steps to transform the White House lawn into a temporary Tesla showroom. Trump and Musk sat in a red Model S together and announced his intention to buy a Tesla, publicly supporting Musk's company, as it faced backlash due to Musk's political involvement in the US and Europe. However, a week later, Trump publicly restricted Musk's power, telling cabinet members: 'The agency's layoffs are their responsibility, not Musk's.'
April 30, 2025 - Musk announced his resignation from government at a cabinet meeting. He stated, "It has been an honor to work with you (Trump) and your outstanding cabinet." He planned to leave "full-time" in May, citing that DOGE could operate independently and he wished to focus on his own company.
Public breakup: The explosion of 'brotherhood' (May - June 2025)
The dramatic and highly publicized disintegration of Musk and Trump's relationship was ignited by policy differences over a spending bill and quickly escalated into personal attacks and threats.
May 30, 2025 - Musk and Trump held a press conference marking Musk's departure, with Trump praising Musk at the meeting. However, almost immediately after Musk's departure, he began criticizing Trump's tax and domestic policy bills, the so-called 'Big and Beautiful Bill' in CBS news interviews and on X.
June 3, 2025 - Musk intensified his criticism of the spending bill on X, writing: 'Sorry, I just can't take it anymore. This massive, outrageous, and filled with self-serving projects Congressional spending bill is simply a disgusting abomination. Those who voted for it should feel ashamed: you know you did wrong, you know it.'
June 5, 2025 - Musk issued a sharp insult: 'So ungrateful, without me, Trump would have lost the election.'
June 5, 2025 - Musk expressed support for a proposed impeachment of Trump, suggesting Vice President J.D. Vance take his place.
June 5, 2025 - Musk dropped a 'real bomb,' claiming Trump’s name appeared in the Epstein files: '@realDonaldTrump in the Epstein files. That's the real reason they didn't make it public. Enjoy, DJT!'
June 5, 2025 - Musk retweeted an old Trump tweet, questioning his hypocrisy; simultaneously voting on X to establish a centrist party that considers 80% of voters.
June 5, 2025 - Trump responded: 'Elon and I once had a good relationship. I don't know if we will continue to have one.'; On Truth Social, Trump claimed he asked Musk to leave the government: 'Elon 'became tiresome,' I made him leave, I canceled his electric vehicle mandate, which forced everyone to buy electric cars that nobody wanted (he knew months ago that I was going to do this!), and then he 'went crazy'!'
June 5, 2025 - Trump threatened to cancel Musk's federal contracts as a cost-cutting measure: 'The easiest way to save billions or even trillions in our budget is to terminate Elon’s government subsidies and contracts. I have always been surprised that Biden didn’t do this!'
June 5, 2025 - Trump responds to Musk's accusations regarding the Epstein files: "I don't mind Elon opposing me, but he should have done it months ago. This is one of the greatest bills ever submitted to Congress."
June 5, 2025 -Trump rebutted Musk's efforts for his campaign, including the 'daily $1 million voter lottery.'
The calculated 'plastic brotherhood' between Musk and Trump, from unexpected collaboration to public fallout, serves as a magical textbook of contemporary political-business relationships.
The two engaged in a back-and-forth on Twitter (now called X), vividly illustrating ambition, calculation, and turning against one another, almost like a modern political satire melodrama.
In simple terms, this was a transaction - Musk aimed for policy dividends and exposure, while Trump wanted a tech mogul's endorsement. The 'mutual praise' between two super narcissists was destined not to last, ultimately turning into 'surface brothers' in the face of conflicting interests.
The two drama kings proved with actions: in the face of money and power, there are no eternal friends, only eternal interests.
Just look at Trump's 'predecessors' - those who mix with him either become die-hard fans or turn against him as enemies. Musk is just the latest addition to the 'blacklist' of unfortunate souls.
Of course, the ones who get hurt are always the wallets of the small investors.
