A once-close alliance between former U.S. President Donald Trump and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk dramatically imploded in June 2025, culminating in a fiery public feud that captivated global audiences. Musk, previously a significant financial backer of Trump's presidential campaign to the tune of nearly $300 million and a visible advisor who headed the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), found himself in a bitter war of words with Trump, primarily conducted over their respective social media platforms, Truth Social and X.

The schism erupted publicly after Musk, who had recently departed his role at DOGE, vehemently criticized Trump's proposed "Big Beautiful Bill," a comprehensive tax-cut and spending package. Musk labeled the bill a "pork-filled disgusting abomination" and a "disgusting abomination," warning it would excessively inflate the nation's $36.2 trillion debt. Nonpartisan analysts estimated the bill could add $2.4 trillion to $5 trillion to the national debt. Trump, in turn, expressed his deep disappointment with Musk's critique, stating in an Oval Office address, "Look, Elon and I had a great relationship. I don't know if we will anymore." This echoed an earlier reflection from Trump about a past Oval Office encounter where Musk had a black eye, with Trump joking about offering makeup, which Musk declined.

The dispute rapidly escalated online. Musk asserted that "Without me, Trump would have lost the election," highlighting his substantial financial contributions. Trump retaliated by threatening to terminate Musk's lucrative government contracts, including those with SpaceX and its Starlink satellite unit, posting, "The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon's Governmental Subsidies and Contracts." Musk initially responded by threatening to decommission SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, the sole U.S. vehicle capable of transporting astronauts to the International Space Station, though he later retracted this threat. At one point, Musk even endorsed a post suggesting Trump should be impeached.

The feud took a more serious turn when Musk made a grave accusation on X, stating, "Time to drop the really big bomb: @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public." This claim referred to the controversial files of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The public spat had immediate economic repercussions. Tesla's stock (TSLA.O) plummeted by over 14% on Thursday, June 5, 2025, losing approximately $100 billion to $150 billion in market value, though it saw a partial recovery the following day. The downturn was attributed not only to the feud but also to existing concerns about Tesla's market share and upcoming product launches. The broader stock market also experienced a hit. In a symbolic gesture of the soured relationship, reports emerged that Trump was considering offloading a Tesla vehicle he had purchased earlier in the year as a show of support for Musk.

The contentious "Big Beautiful Bill" itself contained a provision known as the "Enforcement of Remedies Against Unfair Foreign Taxes," or the "Revenge Tax." This measure proposed imposing up to a 20% tax on multinational companies from countries deemed to have unfair tax practices against U.S. firms, with the tax rate increasing gradually. The Trump administration aimed to collect an estimated $116.3 billion from this tax over ten years.

The public falling-out generated a wide spectrum of reactions. Political commentators and the public weighed in, with some siding with Trump, others with Musk, and some criticizing both. The clash ignited a frenzy of internet memes, with phrases like "Big Beautiful Breakup" and comparisons to a "messy divorce" circulating. Some international observers, particularly in Kenya, drew parallels between Musk's actions and those of local political figures like Rigathi Gachagua who had also fallen out with their respective leaders. Commentators noted the potential negative impact on Republican prospects in upcoming midterm elections if Musk withdrew his substantial campaign funding or if support for Trump in Silicon Valley eroded.

Despite the intensity of the conflict, there were signs of a potential detente. White House aides reportedly scheduled a call between Trump and Musk for Friday, June 6, 2025, in an effort to de-escalate the situation. Musk also responded positively to a suggestion by investor Bill Ackman that he and Trump should make peace. However, the incident underscored the volatile nature of relationships between powerful political figures and influential business leaders, and the significant consequences such disputes can have.