The public feud between two of the world’s most influential figures, Elon Musk and President Donald Trump, continues to escalate. On Friday, the President declared that the world’s richest man had “lost his mind,” signaling no immediate resolution to the conflict.
While observers anticipated a rift between the two, its intensity and rapid escalation surprised many. A scheduled phone call between them failed to materialize, and reports suggest Trump is considering selling his Tesla, purchased earlier this year. The disagreement, centered on US government spending, carries significant implications for American industry.
Following Musk’s strong support for the President after a reported assassination attempt last year, their political and business interests became deeply intertwined. Their alliance, encompassing political donations, government contracts, and personal relationships, now faces a messy unraveling.
This complex relationship ensures that even amidst their conflict, their futures remain inextricably linked, with the potential for mutual harm. Over the past year, Musk’s substantial political contributions to Trump and other Republicans totaled $290 million (£214 million), according to the campaign finance tracker Open Secrets (www.opensecrets.org).
Musk recently claimed responsibility for Trump’s electoral victory, expressing frustration over perceived ingratitude. However, a significant $20 million donation to a Wisconsin judicial race this year resulted in a loss for his chosen Republican candidate, highlighting the unpredictability of political investment.
Despite this setback, Republicans will feel the loss of Musk’s considerable financial contributions as they head into the 2026 midterm elections. This challenge is compounded by Musk’s previous statement indicating a significant reduction in future campaign donations.
The question remains: will the rift with the White House prompt Musk to not only withdraw support but actively fund opposition to Trump? A recent poll on X hinted at this possibility, asking users if it was time for a new political party representing “the 80% in the middle.”
Musk’s companies, including SpaceX, Starlink, and Tesla, conduct extensive business with the US government. SpaceX alone has received $20.9 billion (£16.3 billion) in government contracts since 2008 (bbc.com/news).
Trump recognizes this leverage, suggesting on Truth Social the termination of Musk’s subsidies and contracts as a significant budget savings measure. Musk responded with a threat to decommission SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, later retracted.
Cancelling government contracts would involve a complex and lengthy legal process, suggesting continued business between Musk’s companies and the US government in the near future. SpaceX holds a unique position as the sole provider of Dragon and Falcon 9 rockets, crucial for NASA’s space station and lunar missions.
Beyond commercial partnerships, Musk’s companies face numerous government investigations (over 30, according to a New York Times report) and regulatory hurdles, including Tesla’s driverless taxi program.
Musk’s role in establishing the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) under Trump provided him significant influence over personnel selection. Leaked employee lists revealed numerous former Musk employees, many of whom remain despite Musk’s recent departure. The department’s ties to the Trump administration are further solidified by figures like Katie Miller, a former Trump administration employee and spokesperson for Doge who now works for Musk.
Other Trump administration officials with close ties to Musk, such as David Sacks, face potential loyalty tests. The public fallout has prompted considerable commentary on social media platforms, with prominent figures from Silicon Valley and Trump’s base taking sides.
A YouGov poll (yougov.com) revealed overwhelming support for Trump among Republican respondents (70%), compared to minimal support for Musk.
The escalating conflict between Musk and Trump is unfolding publicly, with significant consequences for both individuals and the broader political landscape. The fallout extends to other political issues, including concerns about aging candidates and ongoing legal battles involving the President. The situation remains highly fluid and unpredictable.