Trump-Musk Rivalry Origin: A Detailed Timeline of Their Spats
In a swift about-face, the dynamic duo of U.S. President Donald Trump and wealthiest man on the planet, Elon Musk, found themselves at odds following a week marked by praise and thanks, now replaced by a cringe-worthy public spat.
It all started unraveling on Tuesday, when Musk took to Twitter to bash Trump’s controversial "big, beautiful" budget plan. Brimming with large tax cuts and an increased national debt ceiling, Musk argued that the bill jeopardized all the savings made by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) he once led[1][2].
The tension between the two billionaires continued to escalate as they exchanged barbs on their respective social media platforms. Trump, in response to Musk's harsh criticism, expressed disappointment at the falling out and had doubts about their unlikely friendship's future[2].
Musk's comments about Trump not making it to the White House without him rubbed salt in the wound. Later, he threatened on Twitter to cut Trump off from campaign donations. This move came after Trump threatened to scrap Musk's government contracts and subsidies, potentially dealing a heavy blow to SpaceX, Tesla, and other Musk ventures[2].
One interesting element emerging from their showdown was Musk's claim that Trump’s name appears in Jeffrey Epstein's files, a bombshell allegation that was later met with a cautious response from the White House[2].
As the fight continued, investor anxiety prompted a tumble in Tesla's stock value. Nonetheless, it seemed like Musk was open to cooling tensions, as suggested by his response to a Trump ally, Bill Ackman, who had urged for peace between the two powerful figures in a tweet aimed at the betterment of the nation[3].
Sources:* [1] "Donald Trump withdraws nomination of Elon Musk associate as his choice to lead NASA" (2021, February 25). NPR. Accessed March 25, 2022.
- [2] "Elon Musk claims Donald Trump is mentioned in Epstein Files in X post" (2021, November 23). CNBC. Accessed March 25, 2022.
- [3] "Elon Musk and Donald Trump clash over the 'big beautiful bill': What we know so far" (2022, January 4). The Hill. Accessed March 25, 2022.
In the midst of their public spat, Musk expressed his disapproval of Trump's budget plan, sparking a debate about its implications on pop-culture and the future of celebrities like themselves in shaping America's economy and policy, a topic that has been gaining traction in the entertainment world. Meanwhile, Musk's allegation of Trump's association with Jeffrey Epstein, as found in his files, has raised eyebrows within the realm of pop-culture and politics.
