#TrumpVsMusk The feud between Donald Trump and Elon Musk started after Musk criticized Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill," a sprawling tax and spending plan. Trump accused Musk of trying to sabotage the bill because it removed electric vehicle tax credits, which would negatively impact Tesla's bottom line. Here's a breakdown of their falling out ¹:
- *The Fallout*: Musk denied Trump's claims, saying he wasn't even shown the bill before it was passed. He also hinted at damaging information about Trump's connection to Jeffrey Epstein, further escalating the conflict.
- *Personal Attacks*: Trump called Musk "crazy" and threatened to terminate government contracts and subsidies for Musk's companies, including Tesla and SpaceX. Musk responded by endorsing calls for Trump's impeachment and supporting JD Vance as a potential replacement.
- *Market Impact*: The feud led to a significant drop in Tesla's stock, wiping out around $152 billion in market value and costing Musk $8.73 billion in personal wealth.
*Key Events Leading to the Feud:*
- *Initial Alliance*: Musk endorsed Trump after an assassination attempt in July 2024 and became a key supporter of his campaign.
- *Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)*: Trump appointed Musk to lead the DOGE, where he pushed for cost-cutting reforms.
- *Policy Disagreements*: Tensions arose over issues like H-1B visas, tariffs, and clean energy incentives, ultimately contributing to the breakdown of their relationship ¹ ².