The feud between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk just hit a new boiling point—and it’s unlike anything we’ve seen between two titans of the American right.
On Thursday, President Trump publicly floated the idea of terminating all government subsidies and contracts for Musk’s companies, including Tesla and SpaceX—marking a dramatic turn in their once-strong relationship.
“The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts. I was always surprised that Biden didn’t do it!” Trump posted on Truth Social.
The sharp statement came just hours after Musk took a swipe at the President on X, claiming that without him, Trump would have never returned to the White House in 2024.
“Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House, and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate,” Musk wrote.
Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate.
The high-profile spat is the latest development in a rapidly unraveling alliance. Musk has increasingly criticized Trump’s legislative agenda, recently calling Trump’s landmark spending plan:
“A disgusting abomination… Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.”
I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore.
This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination.
Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.
That remark didn’t sit well with President Trump, who fired back not only on Truth Social, but also in person during a Thursday meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
“I’ve always liked Elon, and so I was very surprised,” Trump said. “You saw the words he had for me… I’d rather have him criticize me than the bill. Because the bill is incredible.”
“Elon and I had a great relationship. I don’t know if we will any more.”
According to Trump, the real root of Musk’s frustration is the bill’s elimination of federal electric vehicle (EV) tax credits—something Musk’s businesses benefited from for years.
“I took away his EV mandate that forced everyone to buy Electric Cars that nobody else wanted,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “And he just went CRAZY!”
Trump emphasized that Musk knew well in advance about the EV changes and had been consulted on the bill’s content.
“He knew every aspect of this bill. He knew it better than almost anybody. And he never had a problem until right after he left,” Trump said. “I’m very disappointed in Elon. I’ve helped Elon a lot.”
For many on the right, this clash is more than just a personal feud—it’s a moment of reckoning between two figures who have challenged the establishment from different angles. Trump, the unapologetic America First leader. Musk, the eccentric billionaire who turned Twitter (now X) into a free speech battlefield.
Musk’s recent behavior—claiming credit for Trump’s win, slamming his signature bill, and drawing praise from Democrats—has left many conservatives scratching their heads. It raises the question: Is Musk still on the side of liberty and limited government, or is he playing his own game?
Meanwhile, Trump’s bold threat to strip Musk of government funding could send shockwaves through the business world—especially among CEOs who count on taxpayer dollars while talking tough on politics.
What started as a powerful alliance between Trump and Musk—built on mutual respect, shared enemies, and big ideas—now risks devolving into one of the most high-profile breakups in modern politics. And it’s happening in real time, in full public view.
For grassroots conservatives, the lesson may be this: No one is above accountability. Not even Elon.