From Bromance to Blow-Up: The Trump–Musk Feud Timeline
6/5/2025 • MavCall
By MavCall · June 5 2025
Quick Facts
- First clash: July 2022 (“bull***t artist” rally remark)
- Alliance peak: Late 2024 — Musk bankrolls Trump & heads the Department of Government Efficiency
- Break point: Musk denounces the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on June 3 2025
- Detonation: Musk’s “Epstein files” tweet at 3:10 PM ET, June 5 2025
Overview
What began as a playful mutual-admiration society between Donald J. Trump and Elon Musk morphed into a televised train-wreck of threats, fiscal feuds and personal allegations. Here’s the blow-by-blow.
Timeline of Key Events
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— First Public Clash
Trump: “Elon is a bull***t artist.”
Musk: “Time for Trump to sail into the sunset.” -
— Musk Backs Trump
Musk pours $270 M+ into GOP races and chairs the new DOGE.
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— Amicable Exit
Trump gifts Musk a ceremonial “Key to the White House.” Smiles all around… for 72 hours.
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— Musk Torches Spending Bill
“A disgusting abomination that will explode the deficit.” — Musk
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— Musk Mocks Old Tweets
Reposts Trump’s 2012–13 deficit-hawk messages, asking, “Where is the man who wrote these?”
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— Trump Fires Back
“I’m very disappointed in Elon… He knew this bill.” — Trump
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— Musk Counter-Punches
Calls Trump’s claim “False,” ridicules the bill’s branding, hints at impeachment.
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— Trump’s Contract Threats
“Terminate Elon’s government subsidies & contracts.” — Trump on Truth Social
-
— Epstein Bombshell
Musk tweets: “@realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files… Have a nice day!” ⚠️
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— Partial Walk-Back
After investor Bill Ackman urges calm, Musk shelves his Dragon-shutdown threat: “Good advice.”
What to Watch
Will Trump axe federal contracts? Will Musk launch a third party? Their next moves could reshape politics, markets, and even spaceflight.