07-06-2025 12:00:00 AM
metro india news I hyderabad
The fallout between Donald Trump and Elon Musk stemmed from a combination of policy disagreements, clashing egos, and Musk's business interests conflicting with Trump's agenda. Here are the key reasons based on available information:
Disagreement Over the Spending Bill:
Musk publicly criticized Trump's "One Big, Beautiful Bill," a massive tax and spending package, calling it a "disgusting abomination" that would increase the federal deficit. This was a significant point of contention, as Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) aimed to cut federal spending, and he felt the bill undermined those efforts. Trump, in turn, expressed disappointment, suggesting Musk's opposition was partly due to the bill's elimination of electric vehicle tax credits, which impacted Tesla.
Business Interests and Tariffs:
Musk's opposition to Trump's policies, including tariffs, was tied to his business interests. Trump's tariffs, which Musk argued could trigger a recession, threatened Tesla's global supply chain, particularly its reliance on Chinese suppliers. Additionally, Musk was frustrated by a deal between Abu Dhabi and OpenAI, a rival to his AI company, which Trump did not include Musk's company in. These conflicts highlighted tensions between Musk's corporate priorities and Trump's economic policies.
Epstein Files Accusation:
The feud escalated dramatically when Musk claimed on X that Trump was withholding Jeffrey Epstein's files because Trump was implicated in them, a serious and unverified accusation that marked a personal breaking point. This followed Musk's agreement with a post calling for Trump's impeachment, further intensifying the rift.
Musk's Exit from DOGE:
Musk's tenure as a special government employee was limited to 130 days, ending around May 30, 2025. His departure was partly due to this legal limit, but also influenced by his growing disillusionment with Washington politics and the reputational damage to his companies, Tesla and SpaceX, from his political involvement. Musk expressed frustration with the federal bureaucracy and the backlash against DOGE, which failed to achieve its $2 trillion savings goal, reporting only $175 billion in savings.
Ego and Power Dynamics:
Both Trump and Musk are described as strong-willed, ego-driven personalities, leading to speculation that their alliance was unsustainable. Observers noted that Trump's transactional approach and Musk's desire for influence created a volatile dynamic. As Musk's public approval and Tesla's stock declined, Trump's interest in him waned, with some suggesting Trump used Musk as a "heat shield" for controversial policies before distancing him when political costs mounted.
The fallout culminated in public spats, with Trump threatening to cut Musk's government contracts and Musk retaliating with personal attacks. Despite Trump's praise for Musk at a farewell event on May 30, 2025, the philosophical and personal divide was evident, marking the end of their once-close alliance.
Note: Musk's claim about the Epstein files lacks evidence and should be treated as speculative. Always approach such claims with skepticism, as they may reflect personal or strategic motives rather than verified facts.
Note: This is what Musk’s AI tool Grok 3 stated about Trump and Musk’s fall out.