Fallout Between Trump and Musk: From Allies to Adversaries

In a shocking turn of events, President Trump openly criticized Elon Musk following Musk's condemnation of a domestic policy bill. The two, once allies, exchanged barbs on social media, indicating an end to their partnership as Musk contemplates a political shift.

Tensions escalated dramatically between President Trump and Elon Musk yesterday, marking the end of their previously strong alliance after Musk openly condemned Trump’s domestic policy bill as a “disgusting abomination.” During a meeting in the Oval Office with Germany’s chancellor, Trump expressed disappointment in Musk, emphasizing his past support: “I’ve helped Elon a lot.”

Musk quickly retorted on social media platform X, accusing Trump of “ingratitude” and asserting, “Without me, Trump would have lost the election.” As the day progressed, Musk floated the idea of leaving the Republican Party to create a new political entity, while Trump suggested that canceling Musk’s lucrative government contracts could save billions.

This public fallout comes after months of speculation about the stability of their relationship. While many viewed the partnership as a burgeoning bromance, others believed it would eventually break down. The speed and intensity of their recent conflict caught many observers by surprise.

As a immediate consequence, Tesla's stock saw a decline of nearly 15 percent. Meanwhile, during his meeting with Friedrich Merz, Germany’s chancellor, Trump continued to discuss his views on current global issues, likening the situation between Russia and Ukraine to two quarreling children. In a related development, the U.S. and China agreed to restart trade discussions following Trump's phone call with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.