Elon Musk and Donald Trump's conflict intensified dramatically over a 72-hour period.
In an unexpected turn of events, the public feud between President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk has reignited this week, marking a significant breakdown in their once close relationship. The dispute revolves around the President's agenda bill, a piece of legislation that has sparked intense debate and division among political leaders.
The feud between the two heavyweights began in earnest last month, with Musk publicly expressing his opposition to the bill, labelling it a "massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill" that would lead to an unsustainable increase in the federal budget deficit. This marked the beginning of a series of barbs exchanged across social media and in the Oval Office.
On June 3, 2025, Musk publicly criticised the bill on X (formerly Twitter), calling it a "massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill" that would "massively increase" the federal budget deficit to $2.5 trillion and burden American citizens with unsustainable debt. He urged opposition and even went as far as to call on his followers to "KILL THE BILL," encouraging them to contact their Senators and Congress members to oppose it.
In response, Trump expressed public disappointment in Musk during an Oval Office appearance with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, stating that Musk had known the bill’s details well and lamenting the strain this put on their previously strong relationship. Trump's disappointment was further compounded when Musk attacked Trump’s tariffs, claiming they would cause a recession in the latter half of the year, aligning with warnings from economists and political rivals.
Musk's criticism extended to Trump’s personal conduct, including a serious allegation that Trump was connected to the Jeffrey Epstein files, referring to the sex trafficking accusations tied to Epstein. This marked a sharp personal attack that escalated the feud to a new level.
Trump responded harshly via social media, accusing Musk of ingratitude, recalling that he had removed Musk’s electric vehicle mandate, and threatening to terminate Musk’s government subsidies and contracts as a cost-saving measure.
Following several days of deteriorating relations, Musk eventually issued a grovelling apology six days after the initial clash, but the truce was short-lived, and the feud reignited three weeks later.
This ongoing feud underscores the fraught and complex relationship between the former president and the tech billionaire, with sharp policy disagreements intertwined with personal animosities. The conflict has affected not only political discourse but also Musk’s business interests related to government contracts, making the rift both political and economic.
As the feud continues, Republican leaders are pushing to pass the legislation and get it to the President's desk by July 4. Musk, who was a near-constant figure in the White House until recently, stated at his formal exit from government work in early April that he would remain "a friend and an advisor" to the Trump administration. However, it remains to be seen how this renewed feud will impact their relationship moving forward.
In the midst of their heated conflict, Elon Musk's criticism of President Trump's agenda bill, a controversial piece of policy-and-legislation, has widened the rift between them, causing a significant stir in political circles and general-news outlets. This war-and-conflicts-style feud has not only affected their personal relationship but also Musk's business dealings, given his involvement in government contracts.
