By Burnett Munthali
An intense public feud has erupted between President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, highlighting the dramatic collapse of a once-close relationship.
The fallout came to a head on Thursday following Musk’s blistering criticism of Trump’s highly touted tax and domestic policy bill, which the president has labeled his “big, beautiful bill.”
Musk, known for his provocative commentary, stunned Republican leaders on Tuesday when he described the bill as a “disgusting abomination.”
The remark sparked immediate tensions, but the situation escalated dramatically on Thursday when Musk began resurfacing old comments from Trump and other GOP lawmakers criticizing excessive government spending and ballooning deficits.
By the afternoon, the feud had taken over social media, with both Trump’s political allies and Musk’s supporters exchanging barbs and jabs online.
The Oval Office was not spared from the drama, as reports emerged that Trump floated the idea of canceling federal contracts with Musk’s companies, including SpaceX and Tesla.
This marked a stark reversal from the close relationship the two had cultivated over the years, particularly during Trump’s presidency, where Musk was frequently seen in Washington and played an informal advisory role.
Until recently, Musk was considered a staunch supporter of the president and had often defended Trump’s policies in public forums.
In fact, just last week, Musk was honored at an event marking his formal exit from direct government work, where he promised to remain “a friend and an advisor” to the Trump administration.
Now, however, the sharp policy disagreement over Trump’s bill has exposed a major fault line, turning their public alliance into a political and personal standoff.
The rift also reflects broader tensions within the Republican party and conservative circles over the direction of fiscal policy in a time of rising national debt.
With Trump reportedly livid over Musk’s comments and Musk showing no signs of backing down, the spat is likely to have lasting implications for both the administration and the tech mogul’s influence in Washington.
What remains to be seen is whether this high-profile clash will fracture deeper alliances within the GOP—or whether, like many political disputes, it is simply a temporary storm in the chaotic climate of American politics.
