On Wednesday, during a private meeting with White House officials, President Donald Trump exhibited little indication that his relationship with billionaire businessman Elon Musk was under serious strain. Musk, who played a significant role in Trump’s ascent to a second term, had recently been critical of Trump’s extensive tax and spending proposals, causing some tension in their partnership.
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According to two sources within the White House, Trump expressed genuine confusion and frustration over Musk’s criticisms. However, he refrained from reacting too strongly; he understood the importance of maintaining Musk’s political and financial support as the midterm elections approached. As the day progressed, Trump’s demeanor shifted dramatically. Having not communicated with Musk since the critiques began, he became increasingly incensed by what a White House aide described as Musk’s “completely outrageous” commentary on X, his social media platform.
In private conversations, Trump referred to Musk as “volatile.” During this tumultuous day, Trump conveyed to his team that it was time to stop holding back. In the Oval Office, alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, he told reporters he was “very disappointed” in Musk. Musk, in turn, responded swiftly on social media, escalating the conflict.
“The easiest way to save money in our budget, billions and billions of dollars, is to terminate Elon’s government subsidies and contracts,” Trump posted on Truth Social, his own social media platform. In a matter of minutes, Musk retorted, suggesting it might be time to establish a new political party and endorsed a post from Ian Miles Cheong, a prominent activist who was calling for Trump’s impeachment.
“Yes,” Musk responded, highlighting his support for the heated exchange on Twitter.
The partnership between Trump and Musk had once reached unprecedented levels, with a sitting president giving significant access and influence to a tech billionaire within the White House and beyond. Musk had invested nearly $300 million to support Trump’s campaign and other Republicans the previous year. He assumed the dual roles of insider and disruptor—shaping policy discussions behind closed doors, promoting Trump’s agenda to millions online, and challenging the bureaucracy through his self-proclaimed Department of Government Efficiency.
Just last week, Trump hosted a farewell gathering for Musk and confidently declared, “Elon is really not leaving.” Yet, the landscape dramatically changed when Musk took on the role of a prominent critic. Within hours of Trump’s remarks in the Oval Office, a third White House official voiced surprise at Musk’s sudden shift, noting that it “caught the president and the entire West Wing off guard.”
The White House later remarked on this unfortunate turn of events, referring to Musk as “unhappy” about Trump’s grand spending bill, which lacked several of the policies he had hoped for.
From Allies to Adversaries
The abrupt fallout sent Tesla’s stock plummeting by 14% and sowed uncertainty among Trump’s congressional allies who were working on the expansive spending legislation opposed by many Democrats and several vocal Republicans. This rift may significantly alter the trajectories of both Trump and Musk. For Trump, losing Musk’s support could jeopardize his influence among tech donors, social media audiences, and younger male voters—crucial demographics that could become harder to engage as he prepares for next year’s midterm elections.
For Musk, the stakes are notably higher. The schism could bring increased scrutiny of his business practices, potentially endangering government contracts and inviting regulatory investigations, which could, in turn, threaten profits for his enterprises.
“He was not happy,”
one of the White House officials noted regarding Musk’s reaction to the withdrawal of a nomination for Jared Isaacman, Musk’s recommended candidate for NASA administrator. Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur and close ally of Musk, was seen as pivotal for promoting Musk’s vision for space exploration. In light of this situation, Isaacman posted on social media, expressing gratitude for the support he received from Trump and the Senate.
This particular decision was viewed as a direct insult to Musk, indicating a deterioration in their political influence and further deepening the divide between Musk and Trump’s administration.
In the earlier stages of their relationship, senior White House aides quietly began restricting Musk’s influence, curtailing his authority over crucial staffing and budgetary decisions. In March, Trump made it clear that department heads, not Musk, held the reins over agency operations. Meanwhile, Musk started to suggest his own exit from government was imminent, expressing frustration over not being able to propose more aggressive spending cuts.
Though Musk’s threats grew more pronounced, many within the White House remained skeptical that his criticisms would significantly impact the legislation in question. “We’re very confident,” one official stated. “No one has changed their minds.” However, there was a palpable sense of confusion at how a relationship celebrated just days prior could unravel so quickly.
Only time will reveal whether this rift can be mended. White House aides have set up a call between Trump and Musk in hopes of finding a resolution.
