Trump Musk feud explodes: full timeline of the political fallout

If you told someone in 2020 that Donald Trump and Elon Musk would go from frenemies to political soulmates—and then to bitter public adversaries—they’d have asked what you were smoking. Yet, in the wild world of American power, the Trump Musk Feud has become a defining saga of our era, blending ego, ideology, and the irresistible spectacle of two of the world’s most recognisable men locked in a very public spat. Buckle up as we dissect the full Elon Musk Donald Trump relationship timeline, from the early days of mutual suspicion to the DOGE Department drama, the spectacular Twitter war, and the fallout that shook both Washington and Wall Street.

The early days: from skepticism to strategic proximity (2016–2023)

Initial distance and ideological gaps

The Trump Musk relationship didn’t begin with bear hugs and MAGA hats. In fact, Musk—then the darling of Silicon Valley—was openly critical of Trump’s policies, especially on climate change. Musk supported Hillary Clinton in 2016, and while he did accept a seat on Trump’s business advisory councils, he famously quit in 2017 after Trump pulled the US out of the Paris Climate Accord.

For years, Musk’s public persona was more “Mars colony” than “Make America Great Again.” He was a registered Democrat, a climate crusader, and a champion of electric vehicles—hardly the archetype of a Trump loyalist.

Finding common ground: the culture wars and American industry

Yet, as the culture wars intensified and Musk’s own politics shifted, so too did his relationship with Trump. Both men railed against “woke” culture, championed American manufacturing, and shared a penchant for disruptive, headline-grabbing behaviour. By late 2022, Musk had begun to openly criticise Democrats and the Biden administration, and his acquisition of Twitter (now X) gave him a megaphone to amplify right-leaning voices.

Musk’s public endorsement of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in 2022 signalled his rightward shift, but the real turning point came when he reinstated Trump’s banned Twitter account, signalling a thaw in their previously frosty rapport.

2024: Musk’s open embrace of Trump

A nation in crisis, a friendship forged in fire

The pivotal moment in the Elon Musk Donald Trump relationship timeline came in July 2024, when Trump survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Musk, ever the showman, posted a video of a bloodied Trump pumping his fist and declared on X: “I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery”. It was a full-throated endorsement that shocked both his fans and critics.

Financial and public support for Trump’s candidacy

Musk didn’t just tweet support—he put his money where his mouth was, reportedly donating nearly $300 million to Trump’s campaign and associated Republican causes, making him the single largest private donor of the cycle. He appeared at rallies, sometimes donning a MAGA hat, and even hosted Trump for a live interview on X, which, despite technical glitches, drew over a million viewers.

X (Twitter) as the political stage

Throughout the campaign, Musk used X as a weapon, amplifying pro-Trump narratives, attacking Democratic rivals, and even pushing election conspiracy theories. His platform became a digital echo chamber for the Trump campaign, cementing their political alliance in the eyes of the public.

DOGE: The Department of Government Efficiency and the Musk-Trump power duo

Formation and mission of DOGE

After Trump’s re-election, the bromance went official. On Inauguration Day 2025, Trump signed an executive order creating the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a shadowy, Silicon Valley-infused task force with a mandate to purge waste, cut spending, and “modernise” the federal government. Musk was tapped as its de facto leader, serving as a “special government employee” for up to 130 days per year.

DOGE was not your typical government department. It operated more like a startup, with Musk and his lieutenants slashing grants, terminating contracts, and wielding unprecedented access to government databases. The stated goal? Save trillions, streamline bureaucracy, and inject private-sector efficiency into the sclerotic federal apparatus.

Musk’s role and the impact of DOGE

Musk’s influence was everywhere: he led mass layoffs (over 10% at agencies like SAMHSA), terminated thousands of grants, and even tried to centralise government tech systems. DOGE claimed to have saved $160–$180 billion, though independent analyses found that overall government spending actually increased during its tenure—so much for “efficiency”.

DOGE’s methods were controversial, to say the least. Lawsuits piled up, with critics accusing the department of overreach, lack of transparency, and even constitutional violations. Musk, for his part, shrugged off the criticism, touting DOGE as a model for future governance.

Public appearances: the peak of the alliance

The high point? A joint press conference in late May 2025, where Trump presented Musk with a golden key to the White House, praising his “incredible service” and “tireless efforts” to reform government. For a brief, surreal moment, it seemed the alliance was unbreakable.

Cracks in the facade: the genesis of the Trump Musk falling out

The “Big, Beautiful Bill” controversy

But political marriages of convenience rarely last. The seeds of the Trump Musk Feud were sown with Trump’s flagship domestic policy: the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” a sweeping tax cut and spending package designed to cement his legacy. Musk, the self-styled fiscal hawk, was appalled. He blasted the bill as a “disgusting abomination” and a “pork-filled monstrosity” that would balloon the deficit by trillions.

Musk’s departure from DOGE

On May 29, 2025, Musk announced his departure from DOGE, citing the expiration of his 130-day cap as a special government employee and a desire to focus on Tesla amid declining profits. The split was amicable—at least on the surface. Trump thanked Musk for his service and handed him a ceremonial key, but the tension was palpable.

Behind the scenes, Musk was fuming over the bill and Trump’s refusal to consult him on its details. Trump, for his part, was irritated by Musk’s increasingly public criticisms and his efforts to rally Republicans against the legislation.

The war of tweets: from love to public feud

The Twitter (x) and Truth Social meltdown

The Trump Musk Feud exploded into public view in the first week of June 2025, as both men took to their respective platforms—X and Truth Social—to lob insults, accusations, and threats.

Chronology of the meltdown

June 3, 2025:

Musk posts on X: “I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.”

June 5, 2025: Trump, at a press briefing, says:

“Elon and I had an excellent rapport. I’m uncertain if that will continue… I’m very disappointed in Elon. I have helped Elon a lot.”

Musk fires back on X:

“Such ingratitude. Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate.”

Trump on Truth Social:

“Elon was ‘wearing thin,’ I asked him to leave, I took away his EV Mandate that forced everyone to buy Electric Cars that nobody else wanted (that he knew for months I was going to do!), and he just went CRAZY!”

Musk’s bombshell (since deleted):

“@realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!”

Trump threatens Musk’s businesses:

“The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts. I was always surprised that Biden didn’t do it!”

Musk, undeterred, suggests Trump should be impeached and hints at funding Democratic challengers to Republicans who supported the bill.

Fallout: the impact on business, politics, and public perception

Immediate consequences

• Tesla’s stock nosedived by as much as 18% after Trump threatened to cut federal contracts and subsidies.
• Republican unity was shaken, with some party leaders, like VP JD Vance, suggesting Musk had burned his bridges for good.
• Media and public reaction was a mix of schadenfreude and alarm, with headlines blaring about the “clash of the titans” and the spectacle of two egos too big to share a stage.

Why did the Trump Musk feud happen?

• Policy differences: Musk’s fiscal conservatism clashed with Trump’s willingness to run up the deficit for political gain.
• Clash of egos: Both men are used to being the alpha in any room. The alliance was always fragile, held together by mutual utility rather than genuine respect.
• Musk’s business pressures: With Tesla facing financial headwinds and legal scrutiny, Musk needed to refocus—and perhaps distance himself from the political maelstrom.
• Trump’s intolerance for dissent: Trump has never been known for handling criticism gracefully, especially from those he once considered allies.

The broader political impact

• Republican Party: The feud exposed rifts within the GOP between the Trump loyalists and the new tech-aligned right. Musk’s threat to fund Democratic challengers could reshape upcoming midterms.
• Tech industry: The episode highlighted the dangers of blurring the lines between business and politics. Musk’s entanglement with government contracts while running DOGE drew scrutiny and legal challenges.
• Public discourse: The spectacle reinforced the idea that in 2025, political power is as much about controlling the narrative on social media as it is about passing laws.

What’s next? Can the rift be healed?

As of June 2025, the Trump Musk Feud shows no sign of abating. Trump has declared the relationship “over,” with no interest in reconciliation. Musk, meanwhile, has hinted he may support Democrats or anti-Trump Republicans in future races—a move that could have seismic consequences for both parties.

Could they ever patch things up? In politics, never say never. But for now, the bridge is not just burned—it’s been dynamited, paved over, and replaced with a six-lane highway of mutual recrimination.

Conclusion: lessons from the trump musk feud

The journey from alliance to animosity between Donald Trump and Elon Musk is a masterclass in the volatility of modern power. What began as a transactional partnership—fuelled by shared enemies and mutual benefit—ended in a spectacular public feud that has reshaped both the political and business landscapes.

The Trump Musk Feud is more than just a clash of titans; it’s a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ego, the perils of mixing business with politics, and the unpredictable nature of alliances forged in the crucible of American celebrity and ambition.

As the dust settles, one thing is clear: in the age of social media and 24/7 news, even the mightiest alliances can unravel in the blink of a tweet.

What do you think? Is this the end of the Trump Musk saga, or just the beginning of a new chapter in the annals of American power? Let us know in the comments—unless, of course, you’ve been blocked on X.

For reference, after this conclusion, we are including two tables: one detailing the Trump-Musk feud timeline and another with the timeline scored.

Trump Musk feud timeline

Trump Musk feud timeline scored