Inside the Trump-Musk meltdown: In one week 'one big beautiful bill’ turns into 'one big ugly spat'

The alliance between US President Donald Trump and billionaire-tech bro and former-democrat Elon Musk has imploded in spectacular fashion, ending in a public war of words that unfolded live on social media and in the Oval Office.

From close allies to bitter rivals

The partnership began with remarkable warmth. Shortly after Trump survived an assassination attempt in July last year, Musk threw his weight behind the then-candidate, pledging more than $250 million in support. The South African-born billionaire quickly became a close adviser and occasional public companion to Trump — seen at rallies, aboard Air Force One, and even spending nights in the White House’s Lincoln Bedroom.Trump often praised Musk, recalling fondly his presence in the Oval Office and joking about the tech mogul “missing” Washington once he left. Musk was appointed head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), where his team claimed to have cut billions in spending and slashed government jobs.But cracks soon appeared. Musk’s impatience with the slow-moving political machine grew, as did tensions with other Cabinet members.

His abrupt departure last month marked the beginning of an unravelling. A subdued Musk left the administration, sporting a black eye that some saw as a metaphor for his bruising time in government.

Musk’s departure from DOGE

In the week leading up to their public falling out, Elon Musk left his position as head of DOGE, the advisory body created by executive order to slash government spending and cut jobs. Although DOGE was never an official government department—established only by presidential decree rather than Congress—it was tasked with boosting efficiency through IT upgrades and eliminating wasteful expenditure.Musk’s departure was confirmed weeks after mounting rumours and came shortly after he criticised a sweeping budget bill currently under congressional review. Speaking to CBS News, Musk said: “I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful. But I don’t know if it can be both.” At a valedictory press conference at the White House, Trump and Musk exchanged praise, with the president presenting Musk with a large golden key in a wooden box.

Yet Trump insisted Musk was “not really leaving” and would remain “back and forth” to the White House.‘Big beautiful bill’ sparks the break-upThe final rupture came when Musk publicly attacked Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” a major tax and spending package poised to increase the federal deficit by hundreds of billions. Musk called the bill a “disgusting abomination,” lambasting its pork-barrel spending and warning it would add trillions to the national debt.

The X-plosion: Social media clash and political fallout

The break-up reached a fever pitch when Musk publicly slammed Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” a major tax and spending plan currently under congressional consideration. Musk called the bill a “disgusting abomination,” criticising its pork-barrel spending and warning it would increase the federal deficit by trillions. This infuriated Trump, who responded in a rare Oval Office rant, saying he was “very disappointed” with Musk and threatened to cancel the billionaire’s multi-billion-dollar government contracts — including those for SpaceX launches and Starlink satellite services.“Without me, Trump would have lost the election,” Musk fired back on X, Trump’s preferred social media platform. “Such ingratitude,” he added, while also hinting at deeper animosity by referencing Trump’s alleged ties to the “Epstein files” — a nod to the controversial Jeffrey Epstein scandal.Tesla shares plunged nearly 15% amid the escalating spat, wiping out more than $100 billion in market value. The acrimony was on full display as the two men traded barbs over spending cuts, electric vehicle tax credits, and even Jared Isaacman’s failed NASA nomination, which Trump attributed to Musk’s meddling.

What went wrong?

Trump accused Musk of suffering from “Trump derangement syndrome,” suggesting that former administration officials often turn hostile after leaving office. Musk, for his part, argued that the bill was rushed through Congress “in the dead of night” without proper consultation.As the dust settles, only one attendee seemed to benefit: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who sat silently during Trump’s Oval Office tirade. For now, the Trump-Musk saga is a cautionary tale of a relationship that rose quickly, flared dramatically, and burned out in a public X-plosion.