Inside the Stunning Trump-Musk Feud: How an Alliance Imploded in Washington
A public breakup fueled by ego, policy clashes, and personal accusations threatens to reshape U.S. politics
WASHINGTON — What began as an unconventional alliance between a populist president and a billionaire entrepreneur has now devolved into a political blood feud. President Donald Trump and tech magnate Elon Musk, once close collaborators inside the Trump administration, are now engaged in a bitter public battle that threatens to reshape both the Republican Party and the broader political landscape.
In the wake of Musk’s increasingly personal attacks — including an apparent call for Trump’s impeachment and a provocative claim that the former president is implicated in Jeffrey Epstein’s files — Trump has responded with private fury and uncharacteristic public restraint. But behind the scenes, retaliation is being quietly plotted.
According to White House officials and sources close to both men, Trump recently told confidants that Musk was “a big-time drug addict,” referencing reports that Musk has been using ketamine for depression and carrying Adderall on the campaign trail. Musk has publicly acknowledged his ketamine use but insists it is medically supervised.
White House insiders confirm that concerns about Musk’s drug use were one factor in the deepening rift — but the split had been building for months.
Cracks in the Alliance
Musk entered Trump’s second term as the administration’s most powerful outside ally. He stayed in the Lincoln Bedroom, advised the president on tech and government reform, and launched a controversial U.S. DOGE Service aimed at slashing federal spending and bureaucracy.
But Musk’s aggressive style and ideological clashes quickly alienated key staffers. Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and other top officials clashed with Musk over his blunt tactics, which included attempts to shut down entire federal agencies and eliminate popular grant programs.
By April, tensions had spilled into public view. Musk’s heavy spending to back Trump-aligned candidates in Wisconsin ended in a political flop. At the same time, Musk was growing frustrated with Trump’s tariffs and lashed out at the president’s trade team on X (formerly Twitter), calling Trump adviser Peter Navarro “a moron.”
An Oval Office clash between Musk and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent turned physical, according to multiple sources including former Trump strategist Steve Bannon. Musk reportedly shoulder-checked Bessent in a hallway altercation that had to be broken up by staff.
“This is too much,” Trump reportedly said after learning of the fight.
Retaliation and Fallout
As Musk pulled back from Washington to refocus on Tesla and SpaceX, his rivals within the Trump administration moved to undermine him. The most visible blow came when Trump, citing loyalty concerns, killed Musk’s hand-picked nominee for NASA administrator, billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman.
The internal war also spilled into the open over Trump’s signature legislation, the One Big Beautiful Bill. Musk attacked the bill as a bloated disaster, urging Republican lawmakers to oppose it — in part, critics say, because it would eliminate a key EV tax credit benefiting Tesla. Musk denies this motive.
Trump, frustrated by the public defiance, told reporters Thursday he was “disappointed” in Musk and cast doubt on their future friendship. He also hinted at selling the Tesla he had recently purchased, a symbolic break from Musk’s brand.
Meanwhile, Musk continued to escalate online, renewing his Epstein-related accusations against Trump and floating the creation of an “America Party” to rival the GOP.
An Uncertain Future
For now, hopes of a reconciliation appear dim. Trump has privately told aides he has no interest in speaking with Musk. Senior officials worry about Musk’s potential to fund third-party efforts that could siphon MAGA votes in 2026 and beyond.
“There’s hope that there’s going to be a reconciliation,” said one White House insider. “But it’ll never be the same.”
As the fight plays out in Washington and online, political observers say the fallout could shape the coming election cycle — and reveal the dangers of a political movement built around strong personalities and fragile alliances.
