The ongoing tensions between Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump have escalated recently, particularly following a public disagreement that surfaced on Thursday. But their connection goes back to earlier days, specifically during Trump’s first term.
Back in November 2016, Musk, who was then the CEO of Tesla and already one of the wealthiest individuals globally, expressed concerns about Trump shortly after the election. Musk stated he believed that Hillary Clinton’s economic and environmental policies were more sensible; he added that he didn’t think Trump was the ideal fit for the presidency. “Honestly, I think his personality doesn’t align with what the U.S. needs,” Musk remarked during a CNBC interview.
During Trump’s first term, Musk served on his Economic Advisory Board but eventually stepped down in protest over the decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, emphasizing that climate change is a pressing reality that warrants action.
Their relationship had its ups and downs, with Musk receiving praise from Trump in May 2020 following a successful SpaceX mission. Trump congratulated Musk and acknowledged his significant contributions, dubbing him “one of our great brains.”
Fast forward to 2022, after Musk acquired Twitter and renamed it X, he reinstated Trump’s account, which had been suspended. Musk publicly endorsed Republican candidates but indicated support for Ron DeSantis if he pursued the nomination.
A pivotal moment came in July 2024 after Trump was assassinated at a rally. Musk expressed his full support during this traumatic time, even taking the stage at a rally later on. “The true test of character comes under pressure,” he remarked, referencing Trump’s resilience post-assassination.
The tech billionaire invested about $300 million to bolster voter turnout in swing states during the election period. By the time the election approached, Musk and Trump appeared to share a close rapport, with Musk assisting Trump from Mar-a-Lago.
However, the relationship started to show cracks by late May when Musk publicly criticized Trump’s substantial spending bill. Musk labeled the bill disappointing, leading to his resignation from an advisory role shortly after. He later thanked Trump for the opportunity and indicated a desire to focus on government efficiency.
This estrangement intensified in June, with Musk condemning the spending bill, while Trump took to social media, expressing his discontent with Musk’s sudden change in tone. The feud deepened, with Trump stating that Musk had misjudged the situation and was turning against him despite earlier cooperation. Trump pointed out that he tried to make sense of the budget cuts, insisting that they were beneficial for the country.
The dynamic between Musk and Trump continues to evolve, and it’s still unclear how this feud might resolve in the coming days. Reports indicate Musk is interested in discussions with Trump, but Trump himself expressed disinterest, stating Musk has “completely lost it.”
