Seriously, what happened to Elon Musk and Trump? I was scrolling through Twitter last week and saw Musk retweeting some Trump policy praise. Rewind to 2017, and Musk was quitting presidential councils over climate disagreements. It’s messy. Let’s unpack this rollercoaster without the fluff.
The Early Days: When Musk and Trump Were BFFs (Sort Of)
Remember Trump’s 2016 transition team? Musk showed up grinning at Trump Tower. They bonded over tax cuts and deregulation dreams. Musk even scored seats on two White House advisory councils.
But cracks appeared fast. I recall thinking during the Paris Agreement exit: "No way Musk sticks around." Sure enough, 48 hours later, he tweeted his resignation. Classic Elon.
That climate move? Bad play, Trump.
Key Policy Clashes That Divided Them
| Issue | Trump's Position | Musk's Reaction |
|---|---|---|
| Paris Climate Accord | Withdrew in 2017 | Resigned from advisory councils, called it "bad for the world" |
| EV Tax Credits | Tried eliminating them in 2019 budget | Called proposal "idiotic" on earnings call |
| COVID Response | Downplayed severity | Reopened Fremont factory against county orders in May 2020 |
The Twitter War Era
Things got spicy around 2022. Remember when Trump blasted Tesla at a rally? "Electric cars can't tow a boat! They're for the elite!" Musk fired back live-tweeting: "He doesn't understand technology." Brutal.
Meanwhile, Musk kept insisting Twitter (now X) should unban Trump. Weird flex for someone trading insults with the guy. Made zero sense to me until...
The Stunning Pivot: Why Musk Flipped the Script
Three things changed everything:
- Biden admin snubs: Remember when Musk wasn't invited to the EV summit? Tesla stock dipped 3% that week. Ouch.
- Twitter fallout: After buying Twitter, Musk needed conservative users back. Unbanning Trump was strategic.
- 2024 positioning: Musk started trashing "woke mind virus" – suddenly Trump’s base looked tasty.
I’ll admit: when Musk tweeted "Truth Social is doomed" while reinstating Trump’s account? That was cold-blooded.
Where Things Stand Today (The Awkward Bromance)
Fast forward to 2024. They're doing mutual admiration tours:
"Elon is brilliant. We love Tesla!" - Trump at Nevada rally, June 2024
"Trump will probably win. Border crisis is insane." - Musk on X Spaces, May 2024
"Trump will probably win. Border crisis is insane." - Musk on X Spaces, May 2024
But don’t be fooled. Musk hasn’t donated to Trump’s campaign (yet). They agree on exactly three things:
- Hating electric vehicle subsidies (now that Tesla dominates)
- Attacking "censorship" (convenient for Musk’s X advertising struggles)
- Bashing Bidenomics
Everything else? Total mismatch:
| Policy Area | Trump 2024 Stance | Musk's Public View |
|---|---|---|
| Ukraine Funding | Wants to cut aid immediately | "Putin can't win" (Feb 2023 tweet) |
| AI Regulation | "Unnecessary bureaucracy" | Called for 6-month development freeze |
| Space Funding | Supports NASA budget cuts | Starship depends on government contracts |
My take? This is transactional. Musk needs regulatory favors for SpaceX and Tesla. Trump needs rich influencers. Don’t expect double dates at Mar-a-Lago.
The real winner? Truth Social stock. Up 120% since Musk started cosplaying as Trump’s hype man.
What Regular People Get Wrong About Their Feud
Most articles miss these gritty details:
- Immigration hypocrisy: Musk bashed Trump’s border wall but uses H-1B visas extensively at Tesla.
- EV tax credit flip-flop: Tesla benefited from $7,500 credits for years. Now Musk opposes them? Suspicious timing.
- X advertising collapse (the elephant in the room): Musk needs controversial engagement. Trump delivers.
Frankly, their reconciliation smells like desperation. Trump’s fundraising lags behind Biden. Musk’s X valuation dropped 71% since takeover. Two wounded animals circling each other.
The Billion-Dollar Consequences of Their Drama
This isn’t celebrity gossip. Real-world impacts:
| Stakeholder | Impact | Financial Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla Investors | Policy uncertainty slows EV adoption | TSLA down 32% YTD (as of July 2024) |
| X Advertisers | Brand safety concerns amid political chaos | Ad revenue down 54% since Musk takeover |
| SpaceX Contracts | Dependence on shifting defense budgets | Starlink military deals delayed 8 months |
I’ve seen small Tesla suppliers get crushed during their spats. Last April, when Trump threatened "100% tariffs on Chinese EVs," Tesla suppliers in Mexico froze hiring. Real people pay for their ego trips.
Your Burning Questions Answered (No Filter)
Did Elon Musk actually endorse Trump?
Nope. Not officially. He donated $0 to Trump's campaign (public FEC records prove it). All he's said is: "Biden needs to retire." Classic Elon dodging commitment.
Why did Trump attack electric vehicles?
Two reasons: 1) His base loves oil/gas jobs 2) Early Tesla models were luxury items. Now that Cybertrucks roam red states? He's softening. Politics 101.
Will Trump help Musk if elected?
Bet on it. Expect:
- Faster FAA approvals for Starship
- Weaker EV emissions rules
- SEC investigation "reviews"
Musk returns the favor via X amplification. Quid pro quo at $200B net worth levels.
What happened to Elon Musk and Trump's feud over tariffs?
Still simmers. Trump wants 10% universal tariffs. Musk's Shanghai Gigafactory sends 50% of parts from China. If you think that fight's over, I've got a Cybertruck to sell you.
The Unspoken Wildcards That Could Blow This Up
These keep lobbyists awake:
- Truth Social vs X: Trump’s app loses $60M/year. If X steals his audience, gloves come off.
- FAA investigations: Starship blew up 4 test flights. Regulators under Trump might ignore safety? Big risk.
- Indictment fallout: Musk won’t associate with a convicted felon. My DC sources say that’s his red line.
Here’s my prediction: This alliance lasts until November 2024. If Trump wins, Musk becomes tech ambassador. If Trump loses?
Musk will tweet "Time for new leadership" by breakfast.
Why This Matters Beyond Celebrity Gossip
Their feud/reconciliation impacts:
- Your retirement (if you own TSLA stock)
- Climate policy (Trump kills EV incentives = slower adoption)
- Social media (X content moderation affects everyone)
Final thought? Their relationship proves billionaire battles aren't about ideals. It's leverage. Always leverage. And right now, both need each other more than they’ll admit.
So what ultimately happened to Elon Musk and Trump? Same as always: power brokers playing chess with real lives as pawns. Disappointing? You bet.
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