From "Friends in High Places" to "Frenemies": The Rollercoaster Ride of Elon Musk and Donald Trump's Alliance and Its Untimely End
Trump-Musk Relationship Evolution: Insights into Their Past Bond and Current State Post Friendship Era
In a dramatic turn of events, tech magnate Elon Musk and former US President Donald Trump have called it quits in a techno-savvy public split on their social media platforms.
The billionaire initially seemed to be in Trump's corner during his election bid but has since accused the president of being linked to late convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Let's take a look at the timeline of their alliance and its dramatic dissolution.
Pre-2024
- Initially, Musk and Trump maintained a distance, with Musk voting for the Democrats in 2016 and 2020. In 2017, Musk resigned from White House advisory councils following the Trump administration's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord.
- Fast-forward to 2022, Trump claimed that Musk voted for him and referred to him as a "genius" artist.
2024
- In the summer of 2024, Musk officially endorsed Trump after the shooting incident at a rally in Pennsylvania. He expressed his support through a post on X, stating, "I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery." Musk then substantiated his support by donating approximately $277 million (€242 million) during the election cycle.
- Trump, in return, praised Musk at his victory speech, saying, "We have a new star. A star is born. Elon!"
January 2025
- Musk, alongside the CEOs of Meta, Google, and Amazon, attended Trump's inauguration ceremony.
- Musk sparked controversy when he appeared to perform a salute associated with Nazis at another event held that day.
February-March 2025
- Musk advised an organization called the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), created by Trump via an executive order. The DOGE aimed to oversee cost-cutting measures at government agencies and mandate the return to office. However, the organization received significant backlash, especially when it tried to control agencies like the US Institute of Peace.
April 2025
- Trump distanced himself from the DOGE committee's actions and clarified that its members were responsible for job cuts at their respective agencies, not Musk.
Europe and US Criticism
- Owing to Musk's growing involvement in politics and his support for far-right parties, as seen in Germany, Trump publicly expressed support for Musk's electric vehicle (EV) company, Tesla.
May 2025
- Musk announced his departure from government work at the end of his "scheduled time" as a special government employee. Trump praised Musk as "one of the greatest business leaders and innovators the world has ever produced."
June 2025
- The relationship took a turn when the US House of Representatives passed the controversial "One Big Beautiful Bill Act." Musk opposed the bill, arguing that it would increase the already substantial budget deficit and burden American citizens with unsustainable debt. The bill included hundreds of proposed changes, such as tax cuts and alterations to social benefits like healthcare.
Today
- The fallout between Musk and Trump has led to accusations and counter-accusations on their respective social media accounts. As PR expert Josh Wheeler at pr agency Be Broadcast in the UK explains, "For Trump, this is a clear case of billionaire backfire. Losing a high-profile ally like Musk weakens his 'pro-business, best people' narrative and paints a picture of a presidency built on convenience rather than conviction." The consequences for Musk are equally severe, as the drop in Tesla shares demonstrates how quickly perception can negatively impact valuation. "Calling for the impeachment of a sitting president, accusing him of being tied to Epstein, and threatening to decommission NASA-linked spacecraft is less maverick genius and more public meltdown," Wheeler added. Both men have constructed reputations based on dominance and disruption, and neither is currently controlling the narrative. They have lost the public, the market, and potentially future government contracts.
In the realm of business and politics, Elon Musk's endorsement of Donald Trump during the 2024 election cycle, followed by significant financial contributions, marked a shift in their relationship. Conversely, in the entertainment sector, Musk's controversial actions, such as the questionable salute at Trump's inauguration and his support for far-right parties, led to widespread criticism, impacting both his and Trump's public image.
