Trump vs Musk, The Fight We Didn't Want

In partnership with

Start learning AI in 2025

Everyone talks about AI, but no one has the time to learn it. So, we found the easiest way to learn AI in as little time as possible: The Rundown AI.

It's a free AI newsletter that keeps you up-to-date on the latest AI news, and teaches you how to apply it in just 5 minutes a day.

Plus, complete the quiz after signing up and they’ll recommend the best AI tools, guides, and courses – tailored to your needs.

Sign up to start learning.

In a dramatic turn of events, the once-unshakable alliance between President Donald Trump and billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk has unraveled into a public feud, marked by sharp insults and escalating threats. The split, which erupted into view on June 5, 2025, has sent shockwaves through the America First movement, leaving supporters questioning where their loyalties lie. The clash, rooted in disagreements over Trump’s signature “Big, Beautiful Bill,” has transformed a powerful partnership into a bitter rivalry, with both men leveraging their massive platforms—Trump’s Truth Social and Musk’s X—to air grievances and rally their bases. The rift began brewing when Musk, who recently stepped down as head of Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), publicly criticized the president’s sweeping tax and spending legislation. Musk labeled the bill a “disgusting abomination,” arguing it would balloon the federal deficit and undermine his efforts to streamline government spending. The legislation, seen as a cornerstone of Trump’s America First agenda, includes tax cuts, enhanced immigration enforcement, and new work requirements for federal programs. Nonpartisan analysts estimate it could add $2.4 trillion to $5 trillion to the national debt, a point Musk seized upon to urge conservatives to oppose it.

Trump, speaking in the Oval Office alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on June 5, expressed deep disappointment, noting that Musk “knew the inner workings of this bill better than almost anybody” and had not voiced objections earlier. The president suggested Musk’s criticism stemmed from the bill’s removal of electric vehicle subsidies, a blow to Tesla’s bottom line. “Elon’s upset because we took the EV mandate, which was a lot of money for electric vehicles,” Trump said, framing Musk’s opposition as self-interested.

Musk fired back with unprecedented intensity, escalating the feud into personal territory. On X, he claimed Trump would not have won the 2024 election without his $300 million in campaign support, asserting, “Without me, Trump would have lost the election.” He even alleged Trump’s name appeared in classified Jeffrey Epstein files, a provocative claim the White House dismissed as an “unfortunate episode.” Musk’s posts didn’t stop there; he polled his 220 million followers, asking if it was time to create a new political party for “the 80% in the middle,” with over 80% voting yes.

Trump retaliated on Truth Social, accusing Musk of “wearing thin” and claiming he had asked him to leave DOGE. He threatened to terminate government contracts with Musk’s companies, including SpaceX and Tesla, which rely heavily on federal partnerships. “The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts,” Trump posted, a move that sent Tesla shares plummeting 14%, erasing roughly $150 billion in market value.

The feud’s intensity has left America First supporters in a quandary. Trump, the movement’s figurehead, commands fierce loyalty with his “Make America Great Again” mantra, which resonates through the bill’s focus on tax cuts and border security. His supporters, including prominent voices like Kanye West, who pleaded on X for the two to reconcile, see Trump as the embodiment of their values. “Broooos please noooooo,” West wrote, reflecting the dismay among MAGA faithful who view the split as a betrayal of their cause.

Yet Musk, with his massive online influence and financial backing of Trump’s 2024 campaign, holds significant sway. His critique of the bill as fiscally reckless aligns with the libertarian-leaning faction of America First supporters who prioritize government efficiency and debt reduction. Posts on X reveal a divided sentiment: some MAGA diehards defend Trump, arguing he’s fighting for their priorities, while others praise Musk’s willingness to challenge what they see as bloated legislation. One user, Joey Mannarino, described the clash as “two people with balls the size of the moon” debating passionately, suggesting the rift could mend.

Whose side will America First supporters take? The answer is unclear. Trump’s loyal base may rally behind his vision, viewing Musk’s attacks as disloyalty from a billionaire who benefited from their support. Conversely, Musk’s call for fiscal restraint and a new political party could resonate with those disillusioned by Washington’s spending habits. The feud’s fallout, already rattling markets and Republican unity, may reshape the movement’s future as supporters weigh the merits of Trump’s bold agenda against Musk’s vision for a leaner government.

Just today, Trump was asked about reports of a call scheduled with Musk for later in the day. “You mean the man who has lost his mind?” Trump replied, saying he was “not particularly” interested in talking to him right now.

ABC reported that Musk wanted to talk to Trump, but the president was not ready to talk to Musk.

As the dust settles, the question looms: can these two titans reconcile, or will their clash fracture the America First coalition? For now, their public war of words continues to captivate and divide, leaving supporters to navigate the fallout of a once-unthinkable split.