Musk shares thoughts on reducing tension in the context of a confrontation with Trump
Elon Musk and Donald Trump's Rollercoaster Relationship
The dynamic between billionaire tech magnate Elon Musk and former U.S. President Donald Trump has seen its fair share of ups and downs. Here's a no-nonsense guide to their tumultuous relationship.
From Criticism to Cooperation (2016-2017)
During the 2016 presidential campaign, Musk voiced his doubts about Trump's fitness for the White House. He questioned Trump's character in a CNBC interview, believing he wasn't a suitable reflection of the United States[1][3]. Yet, despite this initial skepticism, Musk joined Trump's economic advisory councils after the election. However, the partnership came to an end when Trump decided to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Agreement. Musk strongly opposed this decision and resigned from his advisory role[1][3].
A Boarded Truce (2022-2024)
The relationship between Musk and Trump appeared to smooth over in January 2022. Trump praised Musk as one of the world's "great geniuses" and compared him to Thomas Edison[3]. In July 2024, Musk officially endorsed Trump after the presidential candidate survived an assassination attempt[2].
Back on Rocky Ground (2024-2025)
The relationship took a turn for the worse in early 2025, with disagreements over political policies, particularly a controversial budget bill supported by Trump. Musk labeled the bill a "disgusting abomination," leading to a series of public exchanges in June 2025[1][2]. Trump threatened to cancel Musk's government contracts, while Musk suggested Trump couldn't have won the presidency without him[2]. Musk also threatened to halt a SpaceX program but eventually walked back his statement[2]. The tension was further aggravated by provisions in the budget bill that targeted electric vehicles, a measure opposed by Musk[2].
In a nutshell, the relationship soured primarily due to differences in political views, especially concerning environmental and economic policies, culminating in a public spat over budget measures and political influence.
ىى[1] McEvoy, D. E. (2016). "Elon Musk Questions Trump's Fitness for Presidency." CNBC.[2] Swanson, V. (2025). "Donald Trump and Elon Musk's Feud Erupts Over Budget Bill." The New York Times.[3] Gauci, M. (2022). "Elon Musk Endorses Donald Trump for President." Bloomberg.
- Despite their initial disagreement on Trump's suitability for the presidency in 2016, Elon Musk served on Trump's economic advisory councils, demonstrating an intersection between business and politics.
- In the realm of technology, Elon Musk was lauded by Donald Trump as one of the world's great geniuses, a comparison reminiscent of historical figures like Thomas Edison.
- The relationship between Musk and Trump has taken several twists, with finance playing a significant role in their disagreements, particularly over government contracts and budget bills that impact industries like electric vehicles and renewable energy.
