The Breakup: Donald Trump & Elon Musk Edition

The Breakup: Donald Trump & Elon Musk Edition

Billionaire Bros No More—And the Fallout Is Just Beginning

What started as a partnership between two of the most powerful men in America has now exploded into a very public feud with billion-dollar consequences. Elon Musk and Donald Trump have gone from unlikely allies to bitter enemies in a matter of weeks, and their break has already begun reshaping the political, financial, and cultural landscape in the United States.

From Alliance to Fallout

Musk was once a vocal supporter of Trump’s return to the White House. He helped fund the campaign to the tune of nearly $290 million, received unprecedented access to federal programs, and headed a flashy, Trump-approved government reform project titled the Department of Government Efficiency—DOGE, ironically. The mission: cut trillions from federal spending and bring a “Silicon Valley mindset” to Washington.

But by early June, things soured. Musk began criticizing Trump’s fiscal irresponsibility, mocked Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” for expanding deficits, and implied in now-deleted tweets that Trump had links to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump fired back on Truth Social, accusing Musk of betrayal and claiming, “I never liked him that much anyway.”

High Stakes, Huge Losses

The fallout wasn’t just personal—it was financial. On the day of their feud’s peak, Tesla stock fell 15%, wiping nearly $34 billion in market value. Meanwhile, Musk-led companies like SpaceX and Neuralink are reportedly under contract review by Trump officials. Sources say Tesla subsidies are now also on the chopping block.

For Trump, the drama could cost him tech-world credibility and donor dollars. For Musk, it’s a direct threat to government contracts and federal incentives—cornerstones of his sprawling empire.

The Gloves Come Off

Key flashpoints have made the feud more than just a rich man’s spat:

• Musk accused Trump aide Sergio Gor of falsifying documents to gain access to national security briefings—an explosive charge that has yet to be investigated publicly.

• Musk also resurfaced a 1992 video of Trump with Epstein, adding fuel to long-standing conspiracy theories before walking it back under pressure.

• In retaliation, Trump insiders are pushing for a pivot to other tech allies—namely Jeff Bezos, who has quietly made overtures to the Trump camp after years of media opposition.

The Political Implications

This rupture signals a deeper split in the MAGA-tech axis that’s defined GOP politics since 2016. While Trump has long wielded loyalty like a cudgel, Musk is the first billionaire backer to fight back—publicly, financially, and ferociously.

And that has ripple effects:

• Investor unease: Tesla and SpaceX are now seen as politically vulnerable assets.

• Donor recalibration: Republican megadonors are rethinking the wisdom of funding a Trump 2.0 White House.

• Tech world caution: CEOs watching this unfold are asking themselves: is cozying up to Trump worth it?

What Comes Next?