Elon Musk proposes forming a new political party as his bitter feud with President Trump reaches unprecedented levels of public hostility, threatening billions in government contracts and the future of America’s space program.
Key Takeaways
- President Trump and Elon Musk’s relationship has deteriorated into a public feud, with Trump threatening to cancel Musk’s government contracts after Musk criticized a Republican tax and budget bill as a “disgusting abomination.”
- Musk claimed Trump would have lost the election without his support while making serious allegations connecting Trump to Jeffrey Epstein files.
- The conflict has had financial repercussions, with Tesla shares dropping significantly after Trump’s threats to terminate federal contracts with Musk’s companies.
- Musk donated nearly $300 million to support Trump in 2024 and previously served as an unpaid presidential advisor leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
- The growing tension between these powerful figures has implications for Republican party unity and potential shifts in the American political landscape.
From Alliance to Animosity
The once-strong alliance between President Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk has collapsed into a spectacular public feud that threatens both men’s political ambitions and business interests. Their relationship, which saw Musk donate nearly $300 million to support Trump’s successful 2024 campaign and take on the role of leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has disintegrated over fundamental disagreements about government spending. The conflict erupted when Musk publicly denounced a Republican-backed budget bill, setting off a chain of increasingly hostile exchanges.
Musk’s criticism of the legislation was scathing and uncompromising. He described the Republican tax and budget bill as “outrageous” and “a disgusting abomination,” directly challenging the President’s legislative priorities. This public opposition from a former close ally blindsided the Trump administration, which had relied on Musk’s support and expertise. The tension escalated dramatically when Musk made the explosive allegation that Trump’s name appeared in files related to Jeffrey Epstein, suggesting this connection was keeping those files from public release.
❗️💣🇺🇲 – Elon Musk and President Trump are engaged in a heated public dispute. Musk criticized a GOP spending bill, calling it a "pork-filled abomination" that increases the debt ceiling by $5 trillion.
Trump responded by expressing disappointment, claiming Musk's opposition… pic.twitter.com/XjvSfM8YPX
— 🔥🗞The Informant (@theinformant_x) June 5, 2025
Presidential Retaliation
President Trump’s response to Musk’s criticism was swift and potentially devastating to the billionaire’s business interests. “I’m very disappointed in Elon. I’ve helped Elon a lot,” said Mr. Trump. The President defended the legislation as “one of the Greatest Bills ever presented to Congress” while expressing personal betrayal at Musk’s sudden opposition. Trump claimed that Musk had been involved in crafting the bill, an assertion Musk vehemently denied, further widening the rift between the two powerful figures.
“I don’t mind Elon turning against me, but he should have done so months ago. This is one of the Greatest Bills ever presented to Congress,” said Mr. Trump.
The President’s disappointment quickly transformed into concrete threats against Musk’s companies. Trump announced he would terminate Musk’s federal contracts as a cost-cutting measure, a move that immediately caused Tesla shares to plummet on Wall Street. This drastic action showed how quickly the political landscape can shift when powerful figures clash. Musk initially responded with defiance, suggesting SpaceX would decommission its Dragon spacecraft, but later retracted this statement, perhaps recognizing the severe consequences for America’s space capabilities.
The Musk（@elonmusk）-Trump （@realDonaldTrump）alliance is rooted in ideology, not pure economic interests. They share opposition to far-left policies, value individual liberty and innovation, and embrace idealistic visions like “saving humanity” (e.g., Musk’s Mars mission).… pic.twitter.com/rlRCN7YRVX
— 贺江兵 (@Jiabang1) June 5, 2025
Political Realignment
The dramatic fallout between Musk and Trump represents more than just a personal disagreement; it signals potential shifts in the political alignment of key power brokers. Musk’s suggestion of forming a new political party comes after he claimed significant credit for Trump’s electoral success, stating, “Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate.” This bold claim highlights the considerable influence Musk believes he wields in American politics after his unprecedented financial support for Trump’s campaign.
“Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate,” said Musk.
The conflict has revealed fractures within Republican ranks about the direction of economic policy. While Vice President JD Vance has publicly supported Trump’s position, Musk’s opposition to the budget bill has raised questions about Republican unity on fiscal matters. This internal disagreement threatens to undermine the party’s messaging on financial responsibility and limited government. The timing couldn’t be worse, as the feud overshadowed an important diplomatic meeting between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz that was intended to address critical trade and international issues.
From Bromance to Breakup
The deterioration of the Trump-Musk relationship is particularly striking given their previous public displays of mutual admiration. Just months ago, Musk declared, “I love @realDonaldTrump as much as a straight man can love another man,” and Trump had enthusiastically proclaimed “A star is born — Elon!” after joint campaign appearances. This dramatic reversal underscores the volatile nature of political alliances and the fragility of relationships built on shared interests rather than shared values.
“I love @realDonaldTrump as much as a straight man can love another man,” said Elon Musk.
The implications of this high-profile split extend beyond personal animosity. If Musk follows through on his threat to form a new political party, it could significantly impact the political landscape ahead of future elections. With his massive wealth, technological influence, and media platform, Musk has the resources to establish a formidable political movement that could appeal to fiscally conservative but socially moderate Americans who feel unrepresented by the current two-party system. Whether this proposal represents a serious political ambition or merely a negotiating tactic remains to be seen.
