From Foes to Friends to Foes Again: The Tumultuous Relationship of Musk and Trump

The fluctuating relationship between Elon Musk and Donald Trump has captivated the world's attention. In 2016, Musk publicly criticized Trump, stating on CNBC, "I think that he [Donald Trump] is not the right guy to be president." However, in July 2024, following an assassination attempt on a Republican, Musk's stance dramatically shifted. He fully endorsed Trump on X, tweeting, "I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery." Musk even donated approximately 240 million francs to Trump's campaign. This unexpected alliance led to Musk gaining a role in the Trump administration. But the partnership was short-lived. By Spring 2025, Musk openly criticized Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill," citing concerns about massive national debt. The conflict escalated in June 2025 when Musk released damaging information about Trump's involvement with Jeffrey Epstein, tweeting, "Time to drop the really big bomb: @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public." Trump has yet to respond to these accusations. This dramatic reversal highlights the unpredictable nature of political alliances and the power of social media in shaping public perception.