What started as one of the most unexpected alliances in American politics has now completely unraveled. Elon Musk, the world’s most famous entrepreneur, and Donald Trump, the former and current president, were once aligned on a shared mission to disrupt Washington. But as 2025 unfolds, their relationship has gone from cooperative to combative — and it’s playing out in full view of the public.
A Strategic Matchup
In 2024, following Trump’s return to the White House, Musk didn’t just offer words of support—he backed him with an enormous donation of $291 million, setting a new record for individual political contributions. In return, Trump gave Musk a seat at the table, appointing him to lead the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — a nod to Musk’s crypto flair and a real attempt at reforming federal waste. DOGE delivered. In under a year, the department claimed to have saved the U.S. government over $160 billion by streamlining outdated systems. Musk was praised as the ultimate outsider bringing tech innovation to federal red tape. On the surface, things looked strong.
The Cracks Begin to Show
The relationship began to strain when Trump unveiled his flagship budget proposal: the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” It was a massive spending package aimed at boosting infrastructure, jobs, and defense. Musk, ever the fiscal hawk, took issue with its $2.5 trillion price tag. He publicly criticized the plan, warning it would explode the national debt and slow innovation.
That didn’t sit well with Trump. The president, known for valuing loyalty, lashed out, saying Musk should be “grateful” and focus on rockets, not politics. The friendly tension turned cold. And then things really went off the rails.
A Public Feud Unleashed
The disagreement quickly moved from policy to personal. Musk accused Trump of being out of touch and even implied—without evidence—that Trump’s name might appear in Epstein-related documents. He claimed he was a major reason for Trump’s 2024 win, citing his influence across social platforms and young voter demographics.
Trump fired back on Truth Social, threatening to pull federal contracts from Musk’s companies. That includes Tesla, SpaceX, and Starlink—firms that collectively rely on billions in government deals. The fallout wasn’t just political. It was financial.
Tesla stock dropped over 15%, wiping out around $150 billion in value.
Musk personally lost $90 billion in net worth.
Trump’s approval rating among independents dipped slightly, while GOP loyalty held firm.
The Fallout
Behind the scenes, the partnership effectively ended. Communication between the two ceased. Agencies like NASA and the Department of Energy quietly paused new deals involving Musk. Musk, perhaps realizing the damage, publicly walked back some comments, saying he “regrets” a few posts and acknowledging he may have gone “too far.”
Trump, for his part, responded with a mix of cool dismissal and implied finality. “No hard feelings,” he said in a podcast, “but I’m focused on the American people—not billionaires with bruised egos.”
Where Things Stand Now
Polls show that 71% of Republican voters continue to back Trump over Musk. Among all voters, however, a majority — about 52% — want nothing to do with either in this feud.
Meanwhile, Musk faces growing headwinds:
Tesla’s Q1 profit dropped 71%
SpaceX may lose future federal payloads
Regulatory pressure is increasing
The Trump-Musk breakup is more than a personality clash. It’s a revealing chapter about power, ego, and the limits of transactional alliances. It also reminds us that even in politics — maybe especially in politics — partnerships built on convenience often collapse under pressure.
In the end, two of the most powerful disruptors of the modern era are now back to doing what they do best: working alone.