Once hailed as a power duo — the richest man in the world and the former president of the most powerful nation — Elon Musk and Donald Trump were, for a while, unusually aligned. A tech titan with conservative leanings and a populist president who loved headline-grabbing billionaires, their dynamic felt like a modern American political oddity. But over just 10 days, their already fragile relationship collapsed — fast and publicly.
Day 1: A Disappointed Billionaire
Musk kicked off the breakdown by publicly criticizing Trump’s proposed tax and spending bill in an interview with . “Disappointed,” Musk said of the legislation, claiming it fell short of expectations for fiscal responsibility.
Trump, ever the showman, tried to play both sides — telling reporters he was “not happy” with some parts of the bill, while still being “thrilled” about the tax cuts it promised. He didn’t respond to Musk directly — but the tension had been set.
Day 2: A Quiet Exit
On Thursday, May 29, Musk formally stepped down from his role in the Trump administration. He’d served as a special government employee, heading the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (nicknamed “DOGE” in a nod to Musk’s crypto obsession). It was a low-key departure — at least at first.
Day 3: Praises and Black Eyes
The next day, May 30, Trump made a point of praising Musk during a press event, as the SpaceX CEO appeared sporting a mysterious black eye. The president insisted Musk was “not really leaving” and would still be coming “back and forth” to the White House. It was an awkward attempt at maintaining unity — but the cracks were showing.
Day 4: The Gloves Come Off
By Monday, June 2, Trump was back on Truth Social defending his “big, beautiful bill” and decrying what he called “many false statements” about it. The following day, Musk fired back on X, calling the bill “massive, outrageous, pork-filled” and “a disgusting abomination.” The attacks had turned personal — and public.
Day 5: Musk Goes on the Offensive
On June 4, Musk escalated further. He posted repeatedly on X, demanding a new spending bill that wouldn’t “massively grow the deficit.” Just an hour later, he urged followers to contact their representatives and oppose Trump’s legislation. By midday, he was quoting old Trump tweets about fiscal conservatism, asking: “Where is this guy today??”
Day 6: The War of Words Begins
June 5 was the tipping point. Trump, during an Oval Office appearance with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, admitted his relationship with Musk had soured. He accused Musk of being upset about reduced EV subsidies — a nod to Tesla’s business model — and subtly dismissed Musk’s concerns.
But Musk wasn’t having it.
He responded live on X, calling Trump’s remarks “false,” insisting he had never even seen the bill. “It was passed in the dead of night,” he posted. The digital crossfire continued all afternoon, with Musk unearthing old Trump tweets criticizing government debt, asking if Trump had been “replaced by a body double.”
Musk Escalates to Political Threats
Later that day, Musk posted a poll asking if it was time to form a new political party representing “the 80% in the middle.” He also said, “Without me, Trump would have lost the election” — a jab soaked in self-importance and frustration.
Trump retaliated on Truth Social, claiming Musk had “worn thin” and that he’d asked him to leave. He went further, threatening to terminate federal contracts and subsidies for Musk’s companies. Musk immediately fired back, calling the claim a lie and threatening to decommission his Dragon spacecraft — a core piece of NASA’s space program.
From Policy to Personal Attacks
By 3:10 PM that same day, Musk dropped a bombshell — without evidence — implying Trump was linked to the Epstein files. Minutes later, he appeared to endorse Trump’s impeachment.
Then, Musk attacked one of Trump’s cornerstone policies: tariffs. He predicted they’d trigger a recession later this year.
A Moment of Hesitation
That night, there was a brief flicker of hope for reconciliation. Musk replied “you’re not wrong” to fellow billionaire Bill Ackman, who urged both men to make peace “for the good of the country.” But it didn’t last.
Day 10: The Fallout
By Friday morning, June 6, the Trump-Musk relationship was all but dead. In an interview with ABC News, Trump declared Musk had “lost his mind” and said he had no plans to speak with him.
The White House confirmed to the BBC that no call was scheduled between the two. CBS, meanwhile, reported Trump was even considering selling his Tesla — once a symbol of his support for Musk’s vision.
Conclusion: Two Egos, One Implosion
The spectacular unraveling of Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s relationship wasn’t just political theatre — it was a collision of two colossal egos, amplified by social media and high-stakes policymaking. What began as a calculated alliance ended as a bitter feud that played out in real-time for the world to watch.
And while both men continue to wield enormous influence in their respective arenas, their days as allies appear to be over — victims of a power dynamic too combustible to last.
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