Trump vs. Musk: A Feud With No Winners

The explosive breakdown of the once-powerful alliance between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk on June 5 has sparked a bitter political brawl—one that analysts say could damage both men and shake up the 2026 midterms.

Simmering tensions erupted into public confrontation when Trump lashed out at Musk for criticizing the Republican Party’s flagship budget bill, the “One Big Beautiful Budget Act” (OBBBA). The president accused the Tesla CEO of having “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” calling his former ally’s opposition a betrayal.

Musk fired back on X, accusing Trump of ingratitude and claiming the former president wouldn’t have won re-election without his financial backing. The public feud stunned many in Washington. “I thought we’d make it at least to August,” one official told CNN.

Observers warn the fallout could be politically devastating for both men. Musk, once Trump’s top supporter and a financial powerhouse behind his 2024 campaign, has now turned into a formidable critic—with the means and reach to influence key legislation and voters.

The clash centers on OBBBA, a sweeping budget package passed by the House in a razor-thin 215-214 vote. Critics—including some Republicans—worry it could send the national debt spiraling further. The Senate has pledged major revisions, meaning the bill will likely return to the House for a second vote. Trump wants it signed by July 4—but the chances are now uncertain.

The legislation is core to Trump’s second-term agenda. But Musk, wielding massive wealth and digital influence, could now work against it—potentially funding campaigns to unseat pro-OBBBA lawmakers or pressuring GOP senators to vote it down.

Trump remains defiant. “This is one of the greatest bills ever introduced,” he declared. “It slashes $1.6 trillion in costs and delivers the biggest tax cut in history. If it fails, taxes go up 68%—and everything gets worse.”

But Musk isn’t backing down either—and may be hinting at deeper political weapons. The billionaire has suggested Trump is named in unreleased files linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and blamed the White House for suppressing their release. Epstein died in jail in 2019 awaiting trial.

Democrats quickly seized on the claim. Rep. Daniel Goldman joked that “this explains why Attorney General Pam Bondi refused to release the documents,” referencing Musk’s accusation.

Some Republicans are alarmed. One GOP member of the House Financial Services Committee said the feud could fracture relations between the party and Musk—a longtime tech industry heavyweight. If Musk turns fully adversarial, he could significantly weaken Republican unity ahead of the 2026 midterms.

That threat became more real when Musk posted a poll on June 5 asking if he should form a new U.S. political party. Of 3.5 million votes, over 81% said yes.

“This is a showdown between the most powerful man in the world and the richest man in the world,” far-right commentator Laura Loomer posted on X. “It’ll be interesting to see which side Republicans take—Trump or Elon.”

Musk isn’t emerging unscathed. Trump has threatened to terminate federal contracts with Musk’s companies—including SpaceX and xAI—deals worth an estimated $18 billion. Tesla took a direct hit, shedding over $150 billion in market value on June 5 alone, the biggest one-day loss in company history.

White House officials now say Musk may find it difficult to secure support from the Trump administration on any future ventures. Tesla, in particular, could suffer as the federal government moves to eliminate EV subsidies—one of the core drivers of its U.S. sales. In May, Congress stripped California of its authority to set its own emissions standards, further undercutting pro-EV momentum.

Trump allies have gone even further. Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon has floated the idea of investigating Musk’s immigration history and drug use—alleging he may have entered the U.S. illegally and calling for his deportation. Musk, born in South Africa, became a U.S. citizen a decade after arriving in 1992.

Bannon even suggested Trump should nationalize SpaceX, citing its key contracts with NASA and potential for political interference.

But Musk is signaling he's ready for a long fight. In a reply to Loomer’s post, he wrote: “Trump has 3.5 years left. I’ll be around for 40 more.”

Democrats, for now, are watching from the sidelines. While many remain skeptical of Musk, some see an opportunity.

Rep. Ro Khanna of California, who has known Musk for over a decade, urged Democrats to open dialogue. “We may disagree, but we share opposition to this bill,” he said.

Democratic strategist Liam Kerr echoed the sentiment. “You don’t have to love Elon Musk. But if he moves even slightly in our direction, it could deal a real blow to Republicans. Politics is a zero-sum game.”

Sources: Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, Politico

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