Quick Hit:

What began as a high-profile partnership between President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk unraveled this week, as Musk attacked Trump’s signature bill and claimed credit for Trump’s 2024 election victory. Trump responded by accusing Musk of personal ambition.

Key Details:

• Musk’s criticisms escalated days after leaving his government post, calling Trump’s bill “an abomination.”
• Trump, in response, said Musk “misses the place” and compared him to past allies who turned hostile.
• The split may stem from the bill’s rollback of green energy subsidies tied to Musk’s companies.

Diving Deeper:

The unraveling of the Trump-Musk relationship happened quickly and publicly this week, tracing a path from loyal partnership to open hostility over the span of just a few days.

The first signs of strain emerged Monday when Musk, fresh off his 130-day role as a special government employee in the Trump Administration, began attacking the president’s marquee legislative initiative—the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Musk, who headed the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), called the bill “a disgusting abomination” and posted a Quentin Tarantino-themed “Kill Bill” meme urging Americans to contact their senators and oppose the legislation.

The White House responded Wednesday through Principal Deputy Press Secretary Harrison Fields, who told Breitbart’s Alex Marlow that while Musk was now focused on Tesla, “there’s no daylight between this White House and Elon Musk.” Fields emphasized that Musk’s opposition centered around provisions that cut electric vehicle subsidies—benefits key to Tesla’s business. “Elon Musk has his priorities, and this White House and this president have their priorities,” Fields said. “We’re grateful to Elon Musk for the work he was able to do for this administration.”

Musk, however, showed no signs of backing down. By Wednesday afternoon, he was posting on X that the bill’s pork-laden content violated Trump’s own promises about fiscal responsibility. He began resurfacing old Trump posts calling for balanced budgets and debt reduction.

The situation came to a head Thursday.

During an Oval Office meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, President Trump was asked about Musk’s criticism. His tone was notably different from the praise offered just days prior, when he had given Musk a ceremonial key to the White House. “I’ve always liked Elon. And so I was very surprised… I’d rather have him criticize me than the bill. Because the bill is incredible,” Trump said. “He knew every aspect of this bill… I’m very disappointed in Elon. I’ve helped Elon a lot.”

The president compared Musk’s turn to that of other former allies like Steve Bannon and Anthony Fauci, saying: “Some become hostile. It’s sort of Trump derangement syndrome… I think he misses the place.”

Musk fired back within minutes on X, calling Trump’s version of events false and reiterating his claim that the bill had been rushed through Congress. “False, this bill was never shown to me even once and was passed in the dead of night… Keep the EV/solar incentive cuts, but ditch the MOUNTAIN of DISGUSTING PORK.”

He followed that with a stunning declaration: “Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate,” Musk posted. “Such ingratitude.”

The feud confirmed what many in Washington had long predicted—that the two titanic figures could not share the spotlight for long. Trump’s history with allies-turned-critics has been well documented, and Musk’s increasingly vocal criticisms on policy and spending made the break appear inevitable.

Still, there’s speculation the relationship could recover. Fields and others noted Musk’s contributions to the administration, and Trump has previously reconciled with estranged allies.

But as of Thursday, the tone was anything but conciliatory.

    “Elon and I had a great relationship,” Trump said. “I don’t know if we will anymore.”