Photo: Euronews.com

The political-tech alliance between former President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk once promised a dynamic shakeup of government inefficiencies and a bold future for American innovation. But by mid-2025, that alliance had imploded—live on the internet—for the world to see.

Here's a comprehensive, SEO-optimized look at how one of the most surprising political-tech bromances disintegrated into a high-profile power struggle.

July 2024: Musk Endorses Trump Following Assassination Attempt

After a near-fatal assassination attempt on Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Elon Musk swiftly took to X (formerly Twitter) to declare full support.

“I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery,” Musk posted.

This endorsement marked a significant moment. Musk had previously kept a cautious distance from official political affiliations. But the attack—widely covered by global media—prompted Musk to take a firm public stand, earning him instant recognition in conservative circles.

August–October 2024: The Trump–Musk Public Alliance Solidifies

In August, Musk and Trump hosted a livestreamed conversation on X. Although marred by technical issues (a 57-minute delay due to server overloads), the event drew over 11 million viewers within 24 hours.

They discussed:

• Kamala Harris’ policies
• Trump’s handling of the assassination attempt
• Climate change, which Musk called “real but politicized”

Musk also hinted at wanting a government role. He even posted a mock “ID badge” naming himself the head of the newly coined DOGE – Department of Government Efficiency.

In October, Musk appeared at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania wearing a MAGA cap, calling Trump “the only candidate committed to preserving democracy in America.”

November 2024: Musk Enters Government, DOGE Becomes Real

After Trump’s re-election, Musk was formally appointed head of DOGE via executive order, alongside former GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. The department’s official goal: eliminate bureaucracy and slash wasteful spending.

“These two wonderful Americans will help restructure federal agencies and cut waste like never before,” Trump announced in a press release.

Within days, Musk and Trump were spotted at a SpaceX Starship launch in Texas, attended by over 6,000 people, where the pair shared the stage and praised each other.

Maye Musk, Elon’s mother, described the dynamic as “fun to watch.”

January 2025: Musk Becomes Trump’s Star

At the presidential inauguration, Trump referred to Musk as “a new star” and included him in elite economic strategy calls with CEOs from Google, Meta, and Amazon.

White House insiders reported Musk had become a near-daily presence in the West Wing. Tesla even received unofficial permission to host a product showcase on the White House lawn—featuring the Cybertruck and Model S Plaid.

February–March 2025: DOGE Pushes Hard, Backlash Mounts

Under Musk’s leadership, DOGE rapidly introduced cost-cutting reforms:

• Mandated return-to-office policies for over 400,000 federal workers
• Disbanded several remote-first initiatives, including digital diplomacy task forces
• Suggested merging certain federal agencies, which drew fire from both parties

A flashpoint came when DOGE attempted to reconfigure the U.S. Institute of Peace, triggering backlash from diplomatic officials and bipartisan senators.

Trump distanced himself, reminding his Cabinet in a closed-door meeting:

“You run your departments, not Elon.”

Still, he praised Musk’s innovations, calling Tesla “an American treasure” during a televised interview. “He’s a patriot,” Trump said. “We should be buying American—buying Tesla.”

April 2025: Musk Steps Back Amid Business Troubles

As Musk's government influence grew, his corporate performance began slipping. Tesla missed Q1 earnings projections by 15%, sending its stock down over 42% year-to-date. SpaceX faced delays on three Starlink satellite launches.

In response, Musk announced he would “significantly scale back” his involvement in DOGE. Analysts at Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan warned investors that Musk was spread too thin, impacting shareholder confidence.

May 2025: Musk Criticizes Trump’s Spending Bill

During an interview with CBS News, Musk sharply criticized Trump’s latest tax and spending bill, which added $1.3 trillion to the federal deficit.

“I was disappointed to see the spending increase,” Musk said. “It undermines everything DOGE is supposed to stand for.”

Trump, in a follow-up CNN interview, replied:

“I’m not thrilled with every part, but overall, it’s a tremendous bill. You win some, you compromise on some.”

The next day, Musk formally exited DOGE. Trump hosted a farewell press event praising Musk’s work, but added:

“He’s not really leaving. DOGE is his baby. He’ll be back.”

June 2025: The Relationship Disintegrates

By June, Musk had gone from silent critic to outspoken opponent. On X, he called Trump’s budget “a disgusting abomination” and accused lawmakers of betraying public trust.

“Shame on those who voted for it. You know you did wrong,” Musk wrote.

Trump fired back just hours later, accusing Musk of disloyalty and threatening to cut federal contracts for Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink—contracts valued at over $12 billion combined.

“Elon and I had a great relationship,” Trump said. “I don’t know if we will anymore.”

The two then engaged in a six-hour social media battle, with Musk suggesting Trump could not have won without his backing and Trump questioning Musk’s patriotism.

What Comes Next?

Political analysts say this feud could impact more than egos. With Musk’s influence over public sentiment and tech, and Trump’s control over policy and economic narratives, their split could reshape how Silicon Valley interacts with Washington.

According to Pew Research, 38% of Americans trust Elon Musk more than the federal government on technological decisions, and that trust might now be weaponized against Trump’s agenda.

Meanwhile, Tesla and SpaceX investors remain wary of any further political involvement from Musk, while Trump insiders are reportedly vetting new “tech allies” for future innovation strategies.

‍

What began as a powerful alliance of innovation and politics now stands as a cautionary tale of ambition, ego, and blurred boundaries between public office and private enterprise. Whether this split is permanent or temporary, it has already left a lasting impact on both the tech and political worlds.

‍