Trump, Musk's political fallout explodes into public feud Once allies, now adversaries

The political partnership between President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk erupted into a dramatic public feud on June 5, with both men launching personal and political attacks following Musk’s outspoken criticism of Trump’s flagship tax-cut and spending bill.

During a bilateral meeting at the White House with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump expressed “surprise” and “disappointment” over Musk’s escalating efforts to torpedo the legislation — a sweeping Republican package that slashes $1.6 trillion in federal spending and eliminates electric vehicle (EV) subsidies while leaving oil and gas incentives untouched, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

“Elon and I had a great relationship,” Trump told reporters. “I don’t know if we will anymore.” He added, “I’ve helped Elon a lot.”

The fallout marks Trump’s first direct response to Musk’s increasingly vocal criticism. Minutes after Trump’s remarks, Musk posted on X, “Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate. Such ingratitude.” Musk donated nearly $300 million during the 2024 election cycle.

Trump fired back on Truth Social, threatening to cut all federal contracts with Musk’s companies. 

“The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts,” Trump posted. “I don’t mind Elon turning against me, but he should have done so months ago.”

Trump also accused Musk of going “crazy” after Trump revoked the EV mandate and declined to nominate Musk-backed entrepreneur Jared Isaacman to lead NASA, citing his Democratic affiliation.

Musk escalated the feud further by suggesting that Trump’s name appears in unreleased documents related to the investigation of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. “The records have not been made public,” Musk claimed, implying a deliberate cover-up. Trump has previously been named in court filings but has not been accused of wrongdoing.

The feud began brewing earlier in the week as Musk ramped up criticism of the Republican reconciliation package, accusing GOP leaders of reckless fiscal management. 

Trump insisted Musk had supported the bill while in government, accusing him of hypocrisy. “Suddenly he had a problem, and he only developed the problem when he found out we’re going to cut the EV mandate,” Trump said. Musk rebutted the claim, saying the bill “was never shown to me even once.”

Musk later endorsed a post on X calling for Trump’s impeachment, replying simply: “Yes.” With Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress, the prospect of impeachment remains politically implausible — but symbolically underscores the total breakdown of what was once a high-profile alliance between power and wealth in American politics.

By Sabina Mammadli