The high-profile feud between Elon Musk and Donald Trump has escalated into a full-blown political and personal battle, threatening to reshape the American political landscape just over a year after Musk pledged unwavering support to the president.
In a sharp escalation of tensions, Trump cclaimed on Friday that Musk — the world’s richest man — had “lost his mind.” A scheduled phone call between the two reportedly never took place, and insiders say Trump is now considering selling the red Tesla he bought earlier this year in a public show of allegiance to Musk.
The dramatic fallout, said to be sparked by disputes over U.S. government spending, comes at a time when the political and financial ties between the two men had become deeply intertwined. Their alliance had seemed solid since Musk publicly supported Trump following an assassination attempt on the president in Pennsylvania last year.
However, the split is now threatening to unravel millions in political funding and vital government contracts. According to campaign finance watchdog OpenSecrets, Musk has donated a staggering $290 million to Trump and other Republican candidates over the past year, making him one of the party’s most important financial backers.
But the relationship has soured. On Thursday, Musk claimed credit for Trump’s 2024 election victory and accused the president of “ingratitude.” He also appeared to signal a shift in political loyalties by posting a provocative poll on his platform, X (formerly Twitter):
“Is it time to create a new political party in America that actually represents the 80% in the middle?”
The fallout has alarmed Republican strategists. Despite Musk’s unsuccessful $20 million bid earlier this year to sway a key judicial race in Wisconsin — where his preferred GOP candidate lost by double digits — his donations remain a cornerstone of Republican fundraising efforts heading into the crucial 2026 midterms.
While Musk had already hinted at reducing his political contributions, the feud with Trump could see him not only pull back his funding but actively finance opposition to the president. Such a move could fracture the GOP’s financial base and embolden independent or centrist movements.
Observers say the rupture may have been inevitable, but the speed and ferocity of the conflict have caught many by surprise. What’s clear is that the Musk-Trump schism has introduced a new level of volatility into American politics — one that could have lasting repercussions for both the business and political elite.
With both men wielding immense influence — Musk through his companies and platforms, Trump through his political movement — the next chapter of this feud is set to unfold on a national stage, with billions of dollars and the balance of power in Washington hanging in the balance.