Turmoil Between Trump and Musk: A Public Split Unfolds
US President Donald Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk engage in a bitter public feud, raising questions about their past collaboration and future prospects.
In a striking display of discord, U.S. President Donald Trump and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk publicly severed their relationship during an Oval Office address on Thursday.
The confrontation unfolded when Trump expressed disappointment over Musk's criticisms of a major spending bill, which he had touted as 'big and beautiful,' and suggested potential repercussions regarding Musk's multi-billion-dollar government contracts.
The tensions escalated swiftly as Musk countered Trump's allegations through social media, asserting that Trump's election victory in 2024 would not have been possible without his significant financial support, reportedly amounting to $300 million.
Musk labeled Trump's accusations as 'false' and characterized the president’s reaction as ungrateful.
He further insinuated that Trump was linked to the infamous Jeffrey Epstein case, escalating the public feud.
This public spat resulted in notable financial repercussions, with Tesla’s share prices plummeting approximately 15%, translating to a loss of over $100 billion in market value.
Questions had previously lingered regarding the sustainability of their alliance, and this incident provided an answer to onlookers.
Trump, during a reported 10-minute tirade while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz was present, lamented the deterioration of their relationship, claiming he had significantly aided Musk in the past.
He remarked on Musk’s apparent shift in demeanor post his tenure leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Musk’s role in Trump's administration, although brief, was marked by controversial decisions, including substantial cuts to government jobs and foreign aid.
As the situation intensified, Musk proposed a poll on whether he should establish a new political party, suggesting potential implications for Republican support despite his foreign-born status, which prohibits him from seeking the presidency.
Trump strikingly threatened to terminate Musk’s government contracts, essential for projects involving space launches and satellite services, which some reports valued at approximately $18 billion.
He stated, 'The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts.'
The initial camaraderie between Trump and Musk had been notable, marked by public appearances and collaborative efforts that positioned them as unlikely allies in the political and business arenas.
However, their relationship appeared increasingly strained during Musk's brief four-month tenure as head of DOGE, leading to a disillusionment with Washington's operational tempo.
This highly publicized fallout reflects shifting dynamics in U.S. political and business relationships, with broader implications for both figures moving forward.
The confrontation unfolded when Trump expressed disappointment over Musk's criticisms of a major spending bill, which he had touted as 'big and beautiful,' and suggested potential repercussions regarding Musk's multi-billion-dollar government contracts.
The tensions escalated swiftly as Musk countered Trump's allegations through social media, asserting that Trump's election victory in 2024 would not have been possible without his significant financial support, reportedly amounting to $300 million.
Musk labeled Trump's accusations as 'false' and characterized the president’s reaction as ungrateful.
He further insinuated that Trump was linked to the infamous Jeffrey Epstein case, escalating the public feud.
This public spat resulted in notable financial repercussions, with Tesla’s share prices plummeting approximately 15%, translating to a loss of over $100 billion in market value.
Questions had previously lingered regarding the sustainability of their alliance, and this incident provided an answer to onlookers.
Trump, during a reported 10-minute tirade while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz was present, lamented the deterioration of their relationship, claiming he had significantly aided Musk in the past.
He remarked on Musk’s apparent shift in demeanor post his tenure leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Musk’s role in Trump's administration, although brief, was marked by controversial decisions, including substantial cuts to government jobs and foreign aid.
As the situation intensified, Musk proposed a poll on whether he should establish a new political party, suggesting potential implications for Republican support despite his foreign-born status, which prohibits him from seeking the presidency.
Trump strikingly threatened to terminate Musk’s government contracts, essential for projects involving space launches and satellite services, which some reports valued at approximately $18 billion.
He stated, 'The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts.'
The initial camaraderie between Trump and Musk had been notable, marked by public appearances and collaborative efforts that positioned them as unlikely allies in the political and business arenas.
However, their relationship appeared increasingly strained during Musk's brief four-month tenure as head of DOGE, leading to a disillusionment with Washington's operational tempo.
This highly publicized fallout reflects shifting dynamics in U.S. political and business relationships, with broader implications for both figures moving forward.