The relationship between the two, which had strengthened in mid-2024, ended this week after an exchange of criticism on social media and in statements.
ABC News recorded on May 30 how Musk and Donald Trump exchanged praise for each other in the Oval Office. Musk not only endorsed Trump as a presidential candidate, but had also become an influential figure within the president's inner circle. He was appointed a "special employee" of the government, participating in public policy discussions, informally advising on science and technology, and accompanying Trump to international events. However, Musk formally left his government position last Friday. He did say at the time that he hoped to continue his friendship and business relationship with the current president.
From support to confrontation:
Trump and Musk exchanged reproaches last Tuesday, June 3, at a press conference, where Trump minimized the businessman's influence while Elon Musk used his X platform to frontally attack one of Trump's signature legislative proposals.
This legislative package, known to be a Republican initiative, is informally known as the “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act” or “Big Beautiful Bill,” seeks to consolidate and jointly approve multiple domestic policy measures.
Trump endorsed it as a significant effort to advance his agenda, but Musk publicly called it a “repulsive abomination”, noting that the proposal could be “big or beautiful, but not both.” Musk’s criticism reflected his concerns about the substantial increase in public debt the project would entail, estimated at more than $2 trillion, and its lack of fiscal sustainability.
The criticism arose from Trump's tax and budget plan, which Musk said would increase the public debt by more than $2 trillion.
In interviews with US media, Trump claimed that Musk had "lost his mind" and that although the tycoon wants to talk with him, he isn't interested in dialogue for now. People close to the president said he seemed more "disappointed" than angry about the split. And in another interview with CNN, he stated that he is “not even thinking” about Musk and that he will not speak to him “for a while.”
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