U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that Elon Musk had “lost his mind,” as the once-close relationship between the two influential figures devolved into a very public and politically charged split.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to his New Jersey golf club, Trump tried to downplay the rift but couldn’t resist a jab.
“Honestly, I’ve been so busy working on China, working on Russia, working on Iran… I’m not thinking about Elon Musk. I just wish him well,” Trump said.
The former allies’ dramatic falling-out, fueled by policy disputes and personal insults, has raised eyebrows in both political and economic circles. The situation worsened after Musk sharply criticized Trump’s proposed spending package, calling it an “abomination”, prompting a furious Oval Office response on Thursday.
“You mean the man who has lost his mind?” Trump quipped during an ABC News call-in. In a separate Fox News interview, he added, “He’s lost it.”
According to White House officials, Trump canceled a planned call with Musk and is even considering selling — or giving away — the cherry-red Tesla Model S he purchased earlier this year during the height of their political “bromance.”
Speed of the split stuns Washington
Just a week ago, Trump had praised Musk as he stepped down from his brief tenure at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a symbolic role Musk took on as part of a high-profile alliance with the administration.
But Musk’s opposition to Trump’s “mega-bill,” which critics argue will balloon the deficit and cut healthcare funding, sent their relationship into a tailspin. In response to Musk’s criticism, Trump said he was “very disappointed” and hinted at reviewing SpaceX’s lucrative government contracts.
Musk then escalated the feud by posting inflammatory allegations on social media — including an unsubstantiated link between Trump and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
While Trump threatened to revoke SpaceX’s multi-billion-dollar contracts, he struck a slightly softer tone on Friday:
“It’s a lot of money, a lot of subsidy. So we’ll take a look — only if it’s fair. Fair for him and fair for the country.”
Musk tones down, for now
Musk, usually a prolific presence on social media, was uncharacteristically quiet on Friday, refraining from posting on his X platform. He also appeared to walk back a previous threat to cancel the Dragon spacecraft project, a key part of NASA’s astronaut transport program.
Despite reports that the two men might speak, the White House flatly denied any plans for a call.
“The president does not intend to speak to Musk today,” a senior official told AFP. A second source confirmed that Musk had requested a conversation.
Fallout hits Tesla
The political storm also rattled markets. Tesla stock plunged over 14% on Thursday, wiping out around $100 billion in market value, before seeing a partial rebound on Friday.
Adding to the symbolic unraveling, Trump is reportedly weighing whether to part with the Tesla Model S he once proudly showcased in March during a White House event-turned-Tesla-pop-up amid protests over Musk’s DOGE appointment.
“He’s thinking about it, yes,” a White House official confirmed when asked if the car would be sold or donated.
While Trump may currently hold more institutional leverage, Musk remains a significant political force. He was the top donor to Trump’s 2024 campaign, contributing nearly $300 million. That support now appears uncertain — and Musk’s financial clout could yet be used to influence the political right in 2026 and beyond.
AFP
