Newsroom
Say it isn’t so--Donald Trump and Elon Musk, the political-tech power couple that once couldn’t stop praising each other, have officially entered the ugly-breakup phase. And they’re doing it the 2025 way: firing missiles on their own social media platforms.
The fallout? Petty. Personal. Potentially billion-dollar serious.
What started as a disagreement over Trump’s massive domestic policy bill, a sweeping proposal on taxes, energy, border control, and enough spending to make your accountant faint, quickly turned into a full-blown digital brawl between the president and the world’s richest tech troll.
It began when Trump told reporters he was “very disappointed” in Musk for slamming the bill, which the Tesla and SpaceX CEO called a “disgusting abomination” and claimed would balloon the deficit. Musk responded with a post that read like a villain origin story: “Without me, Trump would have lost the election… Such ingratitude.”
Naturally, Trump didn’t take that well.
Trump fired back with something more tangible than words: a threat to cut Musk off from lucrative government contracts and subsidies, some of which support SpaceX missions and Tesla operations. That’s not just drama; that’s potential economic aftershock.
Meanwhile, Tesla stock tumbled faster than Musk’s reputation at a shareholders’ meeting. Investors aren’t thrilled when billionaires pick fights with sitting presidents.
Because no social media war is complete without a conspiracy theory, Musk went nuclear by suggesting, without a shred of evidence, that Trump’s name was buried somewhere in the Epstein files. No explanation, no proof, just vibes and viral potential.
White House officials didn’t take it lightly, but they also didn’t seem surprised. A press secretary said Musk was just lashing out because the bill didn’t include policies he liked. Translation: Billionaire tantrum in aisle five.
From best bros to political foes
This isn’t just a spat; it’s a complete rupture. Musk was once a major Trump backer and even held a short-term government role under Trump’s wing, where he headed a so-called "Department of Government Efficiency." Now, he’s talking impeachment and promoting Trump’s VP, JD Vance, as a potential replacement.
And yes, Musk helped raise hundreds of millions for Trump’s campaign. Some now wonder whether he’ll funnel any of that wealth toward the 2026 midterms or keep his wallet shut until the drama cools.
Despite all the fireworks, one symbol of the old bromance remains: the red Tesla Trump bought at a past campaign event still sits in the White House driveway. A love letter on wheels, or maybe just too awkward to return.
Right now, the political and financial fallout is anyone’s guess. Trump insists Musk’s anger is exaggerated, a case of “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” Musk insists the bill is garbage, Trump is ungrateful, and the government should be run more like a startup.
One thing’s clear: this isn’t just a grudge match between two powerful men. It’s a rift with real stakes for the economy, politics, and the upcoming election cycle.
And if you're wondering how far this feud could go, one conservative commentator offered to give Trump "breakup advice."
No word yet on who gets custody of the memes.
*With information from CNN
