By Gloria Nosa
For years, Elon Musk and Donald Trump shared an uneasy but functional relationship built on business interests, politics, and shared influence in America’s public sphere. Musk, the world’s most visible entrepreneur, and Trump, the former U.S. president, once praised each other openly—Trump lauded Musk’s business genius, while Musk occasionally defended Trump against critics. But today, the relationship between the two has collapsed into open hostility, with both men trading verbal blows in the media and online. What once looked like a pragmatic alliance has now turned into a bitter feud that shows no signs of reconciliation.
From Mutual Respect to Open Disdain
When Trump was in office, Musk cautiously engaged with his administration, attending advisory councils and advocating for renewable energy policies. Even though Musk distanced himself after Trump pulled the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Agreement in 2017, he never fully closed the door. In return, Trump often praised Musk as a “visionary” for Tesla and SpaceX.
Fast-forward to Trump’s post-presidency comeback, and the tone changed dramatically. Musk began criticizing Trump’s governance style, fiscal policies, and approach to democracy. He even supported calls for Trump’s impeachment after a massive spending bill, labeling it irresponsible and unsustainable. These remarks cut deep, especially since Trump values loyalty above all else.
Trump did not take the criticism lightly. He fired back with characteristic insults, mocking Musk as “disloyal,” “inconsistent,” and suggesting that his companies—Tesla, SpaceX, and Starlink—were too dependent on government contracts. At one point, Trump even threatened to revisit those contracts if he returned to office, an unmistakable warning shot to Musk’s empire.
The Breaking Point: Politics and Power
The fallout reached a breaking point when Musk announced the formation of a new political movement, the America Party, designed to challenge the traditional two-party system. While Musk framed it as a bold attempt to reshape American democracy, Trump saw it as a direct betrayal. For a man who prizes absolute dominance in Republican politics, Musk’s entry into the political field represented not just competition, but disloyalty of the highest order.
Trump quickly responded, dismissing Musk as having “gone off the rails” and accusing him of chasing attention rather than serious reform. Allies of Trump, including Steve Bannon, went further—raising questions about Musk’s immigration history and even calling for him to be investigated or deported. These attacks signaled that Musk was no longer a distant critic, but an enemy in Trump’s camp.
Even when Musk tried to soften his stance—admitting some of his earlier social media posts “went too far”—the damage was already done. The trust between the two men had evaporated. Their once-pragmatic partnership was now a rivalry with global implications.
Why Reconciliation Seems Impossible
For Musk and Trump, the chances of mending their relationship look slim. Both men thrive on being seen as disruptors, and both possess egos that make backing down difficult. Musk cannot afford to look like he is bowing to Trump, especially as he tries to build political credibility with the America Party. Trump, on the other hand, thrives on total loyalty—anything less than full allegiance is treated as betrayal.
There’s also a clash of worldviews. Musk envisions a future driven by technology, space exploration, and alternative politics. Trump, meanwhile, thrives on populist nationalism and control of existing political structures. The overlap that once brought them together—business-friendly rhetoric—no longer outweighs their differences.
Elon Musk and Donald Trump are not on speaking terms, and their feud has escalated into one of the most talked-about rivalries in both business and politics. What began as mutual respect has spiraled into public animosity, with insults, political threats, and even questions about Musk’s immigration status being thrown into the mix.
Unless one of them makes a dramatic and unlikely climb-down, the Musk-Trump fallout is set to define not only their personal relationship but also the wider intersections of tech, business, and politics in the U.S. As things stand, they are adversaries locked in a battle for influence—and reconciliation looks almost impossible.
