Trump vs Musk
Credit: Wikimedia Commons > https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:TrumpMilei%26Musk.jpg
The relationship between tech billionaire Elon Musk and President Donald Trump is the definition of a roller coaster. What seems like a strategic business and political alliance between two giants in both industries has shown signs of strain. From verbal attacks to high praise only months apart, their frequent disputes and political conflicts suggest that their relationship might come to an explosive end soon.
The relationship between President Trump and Musk began during Trump’s first term as President when Musk was appointed to Trump’s advisory council. Musk served on the council for one year until he removed himself due to Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreements. After leaving, Musk stated he had “done all I can to advise directly to POTUS.” This wasn’t the first time he had disagreed with Trump in 2017. He advised Trump against signing an executive order that suspended travel from seven different Muslim nations. Over the next few years, the relationship began to rebuild through Musk’s business in electric vehicles and space exploration, both of which benefited from government contracts and Trump’s policies.
In 2024 their partnership was taken to a new level with Musk becoming a key supporter of Trump's re-election campaign. Musk was the biggest donor during the election, giving Trump an astonishing 277 million dollars for his campaign. He was present at many of Trump’s rallies, sporting his dark MAGA hat and even making some speeches. He was called the “first buddy,” playing on the title, first lady, to symbolize his relationship with Trump. He was appointed by Trump to be the “head” of the Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE, which focuses on cutting government spending and changing funding.
Throughout the developing relationship, the two have had multiple conflicts, often leading to verbal attacks on each other. For example, when Mr. Musk told the media he had never voted for a Republican candidate before, President Trump called him a “bull**** artist” for denying he had done so for him in the last election. This led to Musk taking to X (formerly Twitter) to suggest that Trump shouldn’t run again in 2024. After these comments, Trump went on a rampage on Truth Social where he said that without his subsidies, Musk would “be worthless” and ended it by saying “I could have said, 'drop to your knees and beg,' and he would have done it.” After this, it makes you wonder how they repaired their relationship in 2024.
In conclusion, the tumultuous relationship between Elon Musk and Donald Trump has been marked by both strategic collaboration and intense conflict. While their alliance has brought mutual benefits in business and politics, their frequent disputes suggest instability. From Musk’s early advisory role to his later endorsement of Trump’s 2024 campaign, their interactions have gone from harsh criticisms to public support multiple times. Given their history of feuds, it remains uncertain whether their partnership will endure or if another dramatic fallout is on the horizon.