Musk and the U.S. President went from strategic camaraderie to public crossfire in less than a year.

From embraces in the White House’s Oval Office to economic threats on their respective social media platforms, Elon Musk and the U.S. President Donald Trump went from strategic camaraderie to public crossfire in less than a year.

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The collapse came on June 5 with accusations of cover-ups, a stock market crash and a war of statements—making clear that when two egos the size of a rocket collide, the fallout is massive.

2016–2017: Early Contacts and Disagreements

December 2016: Musk joins Trump’s economic advisory councils.

June 2017: Musk resigns after the U.S. withdraws from the Paris Agreement, citing climate concerns.

2022–2023: Renewed Ties and Mutual Praise

January 2022: Trump praises Musk as one of the “great geniuses of the world,” comparing him to Thomas Alva Edison.

2024: Political Alliance and Financial Support

July 13: Following an assassination attempt on Trump, Musk publicly backs him and becomes his largest individual donor, contributing around \$250 million to his campaign.

August: Musk proposes the creation of a government efficiency commission, which Trump accepts.

Oct. 5: Musk appears at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania wearing a MAGA hat and declares, “I am Dark MAGA.” The acronym refers to Trump’s slogan “Make America Great Again.”

Nov. 6: Trump wins reelection; Musk is appointed head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an advisory commission aimed at cutting federal spending and bureaucracy.

2025: Rising Tensions and a Final Break

Jan. 20: Musk attends Trump’s inauguration as one of his closest advisers and guests.

Feb. 11: Musk appears in the Oval Office with his son X, showcasing a close relationship with Trump.

May 28: Musk announces his departure from the Republican administration, citing disagreements over government spending.

May 30: Trump publicly bids farewell to Musk at a White House press conference but adds, “He’s not really gone.”

June 3: Musk criticizes Trump’s tax and budget bill, calling it a “disgusting abomination.”

June 5: The relationship breaks down publicly. Trump is “very disappointed” and “surprised” by Musk and threatens to cancel government contracts with his companies.

Musk accuses Trump of being linked to files related to pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, and supports—with a “yes”—a user post claiming Musk is winning the fight and calling for the president’s removal.

Tesla shares fall 14%, losing about US$150 billion in market value; Musk’s personal net worth drops by US$20 billion. The Musk-Trump relationship evolved from a strategic alliance to a contentious and very public split.

What began as mutual support during the 2024 campaign and collaboration in the administration ended in serious accusations and economic threats, highlighting the volatility of modern political partnerships.

teleSUR/ JF Source: EFE

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