Musk Turns on Trump
President Donald Trump with reporters in the White House Oval Office, joined by Elon Musk and his son X Æ A-Xii on Feb. 11, 2025. Photo courtesy of the White House. Public domain.
When Elon Musk, the self-styled king of innovation, and Donald Trump, the Make America Great Again strongman, first joined forces, it seemed like a match made in political and technological heaven. But by May 2025, their once-tight bromance has exploded into open warfare, right in the heart of Washington, D.C. What started as a powerful alliance is now a cautionary tale of unchecked ambition, elite cluelessness, and a spectacular public meltdown that has captivated the nation.
The Rise of an Unlikely Alliance
Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, and Donald Trump, the twice-elected president, have had a rollercoaster relationship over the years. Initially, Musk was an early critic of Trump's presidency, doubting his suitability for the job. Yet, by the 2024 election, Musk had become one of Trump's most prominent supporters, reportedly donating at least $250 million to pro-Trump super PACs and earning the nickname "first buddy" in the White House, as reported by Business Insider.
At the start of Trump's second term, Musk was everywhere — briefing the president personally, attending crucial meetings in the Oval Office, and leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a cost-cutting initiative aimed at slashing wasteful federal spending. Musk's vision was grand: to reshape Washington's bureaucracy and save trillions of dollars. His presence was so prominent that Trump joked Musk wouldn't leave the White House, and Musk was seen as a key player in the administration's inner circle.
The Cracks Appear: Musk's Criticism of the 'Big, Beautiful Bill'
But the honeymoon didn't last. In May 2025, Musk publicly criticized Trump's signature legislative agenda — the so-called "big, beautiful bill" — calling it a "massive spending bill" that increases the federal deficit and "undermines the work" of his own DOGE team, as reported by The Associated Press. This bill, estimated to add $3.8 trillion to the national debt, includes sweeping tax cuts and immigration enforcement policies, raising the debt limit by more than $4 trillion over two years.
Musk expressed disappointment over the bill's fiscal impact, telling reporters, as cited in the Daily Mail, that he was "disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it." This public critique marked a sharp departure from Musk's earlier effusive praise of Trump, who had once called Musk "a truly great American," as reported by The Associated Press.
The Fallout: A Spectacle of Power and Betrayal
The fallout was immediate and intense. Musk's criticism reportedly resonated with some Republican lawmakers who opposed the bill's spending increases. Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson publicly expressed sympathy with Musk's discouragement and confidence that opposition could slow the bill's progress, stating at a Milwaukee Press Club event that he was confident there was enough opposition "to slow this process down until the president, our leadership, gets serious" about reducing spending, as reported by The Associated Press. Meanwhile, Speaker Mike Johnson thanked Musk for his work and expressed interest in pursuing more spending cuts saying, "the House is eager and ready to act on DOGE's findings" — signaling that Musk's influence still held sway in some corners of the GOP.
Yet, Musk's relationship with Trump and the administration was visibly fraying. Musk began stepping back from his government role, refocusing on his companies Tesla and SpaceX, and reportedly reducing his political spending. Trump himself acknowledged Musk's reduced involvement but maintained a positive public stance, calling Musk "a patriot," as reported by Business Insider.
Washington's New Drama: The End of an Era?
The drama unfolding in Washington is more than just a political spat; it's a cautionary tale about the limits of power and the volatility of alliances forged in ambition.
References: Musk blasts Trump's spending bill for 'undermining' DOGE and claims D.C. treated them as 'whipping boys' | Musk criticizes Trump's 'big beautiful bill,' fracturing a key relationship | A Timeline of Elon Musk's Evolving Relationship With Trump
