The public fallout between Trump and Musk follows a heated exchange over policy disagreements, leading to speculation about Musk's potential shift away from the Republican Party.
Musk and Trump’s Alliance Crumbles: A Deep Dive into Their Deteriorating Relationship
Musk and Trump’s Alliance Crumbles: A Deep Dive into Their Deteriorating Relationship
Tensions escalate as President Trump and Elon Musk trade barbs, marking the collapse of their once-close partnership.
In a dramatic turn of events, the dynamic between President Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk has taken a nosedive as they exchanged harsh criticisms on social media, effectively ending what was once a celebrated alliance. This fracturing occurred just days after Musk labeled Trump’s domestic policy bill as a “disgusting abomination,” triggering a series of back-and-forth insults.
During a meeting in the Oval Office with Germany’s chancellor, Trump expressed disappointment in Musk, claiming his contributions were significant to Musk's success. He stated, “I’ve helped Elon a lot.” Musk quickly retaliated on social media, accusing Trump of "ingratitude" and asserting, “Without me, Trump would have lost the election.” The disagreement escalated with Musk contemplating a departure from the Republican Party and Trump suggesting that terminating Musk’s government contracts could yield substantial savings.
This public split is the culmination of a remarkable partnership that had developed since the election, where Musk appeared to play an integral role in advising the president, influencing policy choices, and interacting with global leaders. As Theodore Schleifer from Vox observed, the anticipated breakdown between the two had been a topic of speculation, although the rapidity of the fallout caught many off guard.
The rift appears to have had financial repercussions as well; within hours of the insult exchange, Tesla's share prices saw a steep decline of nearly 15 percent.
Meanwhile, in other news, Trump, while meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, drew a comparison between the Russia-Ukraine conflict and two squabbling children. Additionally, he engaged in dialogues with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, signalling the resumption of trade discussions between the U.S. and China.
