The bromance between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk has imploded spectacularly, with insults flying faster than a SpaceX rocket.
Breitbart reported that their once-cozy alliance, cemented by photo ops and campaign cash, has unraveled into a public spat that’s shaking both Washington and Wall Street. Turns out, even the tightest political partnerships can’t survive a Twitter-sized ego clash.
Trump, once a Musk cheerleader, now calls the Tesla titan a man who’s “lost his mind,” while Musk slams Trump’s spending bill as an “abomination.”
This feud, erupting over a single week, threatens political fallout and economic ripples, with Tesla’s stock already taking a $100 billion hit. It’s a stark reminder that loyalty in politics is as fleeting as a viral meme.
The trouble began Tuesday when Musk, never shy about his opinions, trashed Trump’s spending bill on his X platform. He labeled it a fiscal disaster, pointing to its ballooning deficit and cuts to healthcare for low-income Americans. For a man who bankrolled Trump’s campaign with nearly $300 million, this was less a critique and more a public betrayal.
Trump didn’t take kindly to Musk’s jab, firing back Thursday with an Oval Office rant that left no ambiguity about his disappointment.
“Very disappointed” doesn’t begin to cover it—Trump’s tone suggested a friendship gone sour faster than a D.C. power lunch. Actions, as they say, have consequences, and Musk’s critique lit the fuse.
By Friday, Trump escalated the feud, mocking Musk’s mental state in a call with ABC. “You mean the man who has lost his mind?” he quipped, a zinger that landed like a gut punch. It’s the kind of barb that makes you wonder if Trump’s forgotten Musk’s role as his campaign’s biggest donor.
Musk, not one to stay quiet, hit back with a wild card, accusing Trump of ties to Jeffrey Epstein’s files—without a shred of evidence. It’s a low blow that reeks of desperation, the kind of move you make when you’re out of policy ammo. Musk’s X presence, usually a firehose of takes, went eerily quiet Friday, suggesting even he knew he’d overstepped.
Tesla’s stock plummeted 14% on Thursday, a market bloodbath that shaved off $100 billion in value, though it clawed back some losses Friday.
Investors, spooked by the feud, seem to sense that Trump’s threats to yank SpaceX contracts could hit Musk where it hurts. When the president starts eyeing your government deals, it’s not just personal—it’s business.
Trump is mulling over ditching his red Tesla S, bought in March and still parked at the White House, as a symbolic middle finger. “He’s thinking about it, yes,” a senior official confirmed, hinting at a sell-off or giveaway. It’s a far cry from March’s Tesla showroom stunt, where Trump and Musk grinned like old pals.
SpaceX, a linchpin for NASA’s astronaut missions, now hangs in the balance as Trump questions its contracts. “Only if it’s fair,” he said Friday, a vague but ominous warning that fairness might be in the eye of the beholder. Musk, perhaps sensing the heat, backed off a threat to scrap the Dragon spacecraft, a rare retreat for the billionaire.
Just a week ago, Trump was singing Musk’s praises as he exited the Department of Government Efficiency after a four-month stint.
Now, that goodwill is a distant memory, replaced by a scrapped call and icy silence. “The president does not intend to speak to Musk today,” a White House official told AFP, slamming the door shut.
Musk’s request for a call, confirmed by another official, suggests he’s scrambling to salvage the relationship. But Trump, ever the dealmaker, seems more focused on global heavyweights like China and Russia. “I’m not thinking about Elon Musk, I just wish him well,” he told reporters on Air Force One, a diplomatic brush-off that stings.
The fallout raises questions about Musk’s role in the 2026 midterms, where his deep pockets could’ve been a GOP lifeline. His $300 million campaign contribution was a game-changer, but this feud casts doubt on future checks. Loyalty, it seems, doesn’t come with a lifetime warranty.
Trump’s spending bill, the feud’s flashpoint, remains a sore spot for conservatives who see it as a betrayal of fiscal restraint.
Musk’s critique, while harsh, echoed the frustration of many in the MAGA base who crave leaner government. Yet, picking a fight with the president isn’t exactly a masterclass in coalition-building.
