Trump and Musk Feud Timeline
Escalation of Conflict: Fiscal Legislation and Power Struggle
May 2025: Musk announces he will leave DOGE on May 30, citing a focus on the operations of Tesla and SpaceX.
"One Big Beautiful Bill Act": The bill promoted by Trump is criticized for increasing the deficit by $2.4 trillion. Musk publicly opposes the bill, calling it "bloated and inadequately reviewed," and urges Congress to veto it.
Trump's Response: Accuses Musk of being "ingrate" and threatens to terminate government contracts with SpaceX and Tesla, claiming Musk's opposition stems from dissatisfaction with cuts to electric vehicle subsidies.
Public Break: Intense exchanges on social media
Musk Strikes Back: On social platform X, Musk accuses Trump of being "ingrate" and suggests a connection to Jeffrey Epstein, even calling for Trump's impeachment.
Trump Strikes Back: Calls Musk "crazy" and threatens to investigate his immigration status and drug use.
Economic Impact: Tesla's stock price briefly falls by 15%, with a market value loss of over $150 billion.
Underlying Reasons for the Breakdown
Conflict of Power and Interests: Musk's layoffs and spending cuts at DOGE trigger discontent within the government, especially conflicts with Secretary of State Rubio.
Policy Differences: Musk opposes the fiscal deficit and cuts to electric vehicle subsidies in the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act."
Personal Grudges: Musk believes he played a crucial role in Trump's re-election, while Trump believes Musk's opposition is driven by personal interests.