A dramatic fallout between President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk has unfolded in a public and vitriolic exchange, marking a stunning collapse of their once-close alliance. The feud, which erupted over a sweeping domestic policy bill pushed by the White House, has seen both titans trading barbs on their respective social media platforms, Truth Social and X.
The rift began just days after Trump celebrated Musk during an Oval Office farewell address last Friday, where he presented Musk with a novelty oversized key to the White House. However, tensions flared as Musk grew critical of the domestic policy bill. On Thursday, Musk unleashed a scathing attack on X, claiming, “Without me, Trump would have lost the election. Such ingratitude.”
Trump retaliated on Truth Social, expressing disappointment in Musk and suggesting he could eliminate Musk’s government subsidies and contracts to “save money in our Budget.” Trump added, “I was always surprised that Biden didn’t do it!” The remark provoked a furious response from Musk, escalating the conflict.
The public nature of the feud, characterized by its personal and petty tone, has captivated observers. With Trump and Musk each controlling their own social media platforms, their exchanges have forced followers to toggle between Truth Social and X to track the escalating war of words.
The clash is notable for its stakes, as Musk wields significant political and financial influence, a rare counterbalance to Trump’s authority as president. Sources indicate Musk’s frustration stemmed from the domestic policy bill, though specifics of his objections remain unclear. The fallout has raised questions about the future of Musk’s government contracts and the broader implications for Trump’s administration, already grappling with tracking layoffs and fluctuating approval ratings.
As the White House pushes forward with its legislative agenda, the Trump-Musk feud has added a volatile layer of uncertainty, with both figures showing no signs of backing down.
