WASHINGTON, June 7 (WSH) — What was once an unconventional alliance between former U.S. President Donald J. Trump and tech magnate Elon Musk has now unraveled into a spectacular public feud. Over the past 48 hours, the two figures have launched a barrage of indirect attacks on each other via their respective social media platforms, X and Truth Social, turning political and tech circles—and much of the internet—into a battleground.
The dispute erupted Thursday afternoon when Elon Musk posted a series of scathing remarks on X, including, “Trump wouldn’t have won the election without me. The man is completely ungrateful.” His post instantly triggered massive reactions, turning the hashtag “#TheyAreFighting” into a top trend.
Just months ago, Musk was seen riding on Trump’s private jet, staying at his Mar-a-Lago estate, and engaging in cordial exchanges with Trump’s inner circle. The former president even gifted Musk a comically oversized “White House Key” during a private send-off event.
However, signs of tension had been brewing for weeks. Musk has reportedly opposed a key domestic policy package that Trump and congressional Republicans were pushing, and Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with Musk’s growing political voice.
On Thursday evening, Trump responded through Truth Social: “I’m very disappointed in Elon. Frankly, I’m surprised Biden hasn’t cut his subsidies already. Maybe it’s time.” His remarks hinted at potential federal retaliation, sparking widespread speculation about future regulatory consequences for Musk-led ventures such as Tesla and SpaceX.
Despite their history of mutual benefit, the rupture has escalated quickly. Political analysts say Musk is one of the few public figures who not only refused to back down from Trump’s attacks but is also capable of striking back with equal force—socially, financially, and culturally.
The irony of this digital slugfest is amplified by the fact that both men own their own social media platforms. Followers scrambled to piece together the “he said-he said” drama by bouncing between Truth Social and X, turning the conflict into a virtual cross-platform showdown.
The feud took an even darker turn when Musk suggested in a post that Trump’s name appears in documents related to Jeffrey Epstein—an explosive insinuation aimed directly at Trump’s political base. “This is why the Epstein files haven’t been released,” Musk wrote. He later deleted the post, but the damage had been done.
Musk’s barbs became increasingly personal. In one biting message, he quipped, “Trump has 3.5 years left. I have 40.” The implication was clear: Trump’s political relevance is limited; Musk’s influence will endure.
Commentators have described the episode as part tech war, part political fallout, and entirely driven by ego, ambition, and diverging interests. Some have even compared it to a high-stakes breakup drama played out in real-time for millions of followers.
Adding to the spectacle was a post from rapper and former Trump ally Kanye West, who tried to mediate with a message that read: “Brothers, come on. We love you both.” His plea was accompanied by a hugging emoji, but the olive branch was quickly lost in the digital storm.
Observers from both sides of the political aisle are now asking: what’s next? Will Trump, known for weaponizing government levers, target Musk’s businesses? Could contracts with NASA, the Pentagon, or federal energy programs be reconsidered? Will this public spat influence the 2024 election calculus?
At the heart of the matter is a deeper political and cultural question: What happens when two of the most powerful influencers in the modern American landscape—each commanding massive public followings and shaping discourse across politics and technology—turn on each other?
“This isn’t just a personal feud,” one senior analyst noted. “It’s a reflection of shifting power centers in America—where tech billionaires are no longer just donors or supporters, but political actors in their own right.”
Whether this feud fizzles out or continues to escalate remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the Trump-Musk saga is no longer a sideshow—it’s the main event.
