Trump and Musk Feud: From Allies to Bitter Rivals Over Budget Bill

The rollercoaster relationship between President Donald Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk has taken a dramatic turn, culminating in a very public feud this week. What started as a partnership with shared moments of admiration has now devolved into a war of words over policy and personal slights, leaving many to wonder if this rift can be mended.

Let’s rewind a bit. Musk wasn’t always in Trump’s corner. Back in 2016, before Trump’s first term, Musk openly criticized him, questioning his character and suitability to represent the United States. Yet, during Trump’s initial presidency, Musk joined economic advisory councils, only to exit over disagreements on the Paris Climate Accords, a move he called detrimental to America and the world.

Fast forward to 2020, and there were signs of warmth. Trump praised Musk during the SpaceX Demo-2 launch, calling him a ‘great brain’ and a personal friend. But the real pivot came after Musk’s acquisition of Twitter—now X—in 2022, when he reinstated Trump’s account and began aligning more with Republican ideals, even campaigning for Trump after the 2024 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. Musk’s enthusiastic support, including a memorable stage appearance at Trump’s comeback rally, seemed to cement their bond. He even spent election night with Trump at Mar-a-Lago.

Things got official when Trump appointed Musk to head the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), tasking him with slashing government waste. Initially, it looked like a dream team, with Musk pushing for massive spending cuts—though falling short of his $1 trillion goal—and Trump touting their shared vision. But cracks began to show. Democrats fiercely opposed DOGE’s $175 billion in cuts, and protests, some violent, targeted Musk’s Tesla dealerships.

The breaking point came over a controversial budget bill. Musk publicly slammed it as a ‘disgusting abomination,’ arguing it undermined DOGE’s work. Trump fired back, expressing disappointment and claiming Musk only turned against the bill when electric vehicle incentives were cut. The feud exploded on social media, with Trump accusing Musk of going ‘crazy’ and Musk making inflammatory remarks, even referencing Jeffrey Epstein in a jab that drew sharp criticism from Republicans.

Now, the fallout is raw. Trump says he’s done with Musk, claiming he’s ‘lost it,’ while Musk insists he still wants to advise the president. Whether aides can broker peace remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: this isn’t just a policy spat—it’s personal. As this saga unfolds, the question looms: can two larger-than-life egos find common ground again, or is this the end of an alliance that once seemed unstoppable?