Trump–Musk Alliance Implodes in Blazing Public Feud

WASHINGTON, 6 June 2025 (BSS/AFP) – The political partnership between US President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk came to a spectacular and acrimonious end on Thursday, with Trump threatening to strip Musk of lucrative government contracts in retaliation for a bitter public falling-out.

The rupture unfolded in dramatic fashion, beginning with Trump expressing “deep disappointment” during a televised Oval Office tirade over Musk’s public criticism of his flagship spending bill currently before Congress.

The feud quickly descended into a flurry of insults exchanged online. Musk, escalating tensions further, alleged—without evidence—that Trump appeared in government files related to convicted sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The clash has already begun to send political and financial shockwaves. Shares in Tesla, Musk’s flagship electric vehicle company, plummeted, and the South African-born tycoon threatened to terminate a key US space programme.

Long-standing speculation had suggested the alliance between the world’s richest man and America’s most powerful political figure might not endure. Still, the sheer speed and scale of the fallout stunned Washington.

‘Very Disappointed’

“I’m very disappointed in Elon. I’ve helped Elon a lot,” Trump, 78, told reporters in the Oval Office as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz sat by in silence. “Elon and I had a great relationship. I don’t know if we will anymore.”

Appearing visibly aggrieved, Trump recalled it had been just a week since he hosted a high-profile send-off for Musk upon his departure from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the cost-cutting agency he briefly led.

Trump later described Musk as “crazy” and insisted he had asked the billionaire to resign because he was “wearing thin.”

‘Ingratitude’

Musk hit back in real time on his X social media platform (formerly Twitter), claiming Trump owed his 2024 election victory to his financial and strategic backing. He accused the president of “ingratitude” and posted, “Trump is in the Epstein files,” alluding to controversial documents tied to the late financier’s criminal network.

“Have a nice day, DJT!” Musk added mockingly.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt downplayed the accusation, calling it “an unfortunate episode from Elon, who is upset that the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ doesn’t include the policies he advocated for.”

Musk, who reportedly donated over $300 million to Trump’s 2024 re-election campaign, further stirred controversy by replying “yes” to a post suggesting Trump should be impeached. He also lambasted the president’s global tariffs, warning they could plunge the economy into recession.

‘Terminate His Contracts’

Trump responded by threatening to revoke federal contracts and subsidies vital to Musk’s business empire, including those connected to rocket launches and the Starlink satellite network.

“The easiest way to save money in our Budget—billions and billions of dollars—is to terminate Elon’s governmental subsidies and contracts,” Trump declared on Truth Social.

Musk countered that SpaceX would begin “decommissioning” its Dragon spacecraft, which NASA relies on to ferry astronauts to and from the International Space Station.

‘Abomination’ and Aftermath

The public sparring appeared to ease after several intense hours, but not before more than $100 billion was wiped off Tesla’s market value.

The Trump–Musk relationship had initially flourished. The president embraced Musk’s cost-cutting vision at DOGE, while Musk was seen staying overnight at the White House and even travelling on Air Force One.

Yet Musk’s tenure at DOGE lasted just four months, as he became disillusioned with the bureaucratic pace and clashed with cabinet members. Until this week, tensions over Trump’s sprawling tax and spending bill—central to his second-term agenda—had remained relatively contained.

However, Musk finally broke ranks, branding the bill an “abomination” that would deepen the national deficit.

Now, Washington is bracing for further fallout. Musk has floated the idea of forming a new political party—an extraordinary move that could shake up the US political landscape. He also indicated he might use his vast fortune to target Republican lawmakers who oppose his views.

Meanwhile, Steve Bannon, a key Trump ally and outspoken Musk critic, has reportedly called for the tech mogul’s deportation, according to The New York Times.