Elon Musk and President Trump began a relationship nearly a decade ago that developed into a close partnership over the last year. That alliance unraveled publicly in just a few days.
Here’s a look at what the two men have said about each other over the years — both the praises and the jabs.
Advertisement
Frenemies (2016-23)
The relationship between Mr. Musk and the president started off rocky. Before the 2016 presidential election, Mr. Musk said in an interview with CNBC that Mr. Trump was “not the right guy” to lead the country. Over the next few years, Mr. Trump would both praise and insult the tech billionaire.
Advertisement
Advertisement
What Musk said
Nov. 4, 2016
“I feel a bit stronger that he is not the right guy. He doesn’t seem to have the sort of character that reflects well on the United States.”
Jan. 22, 2020
Advertisement
“He’s one of our great geniuses, and we have to protect our genius.”
July 9, 2022
“So he’s another bullshit artist.”
July 11, 2022
“I don’t hate the man, but it’s time for Trump to hang up his hat & sail into the sunset.” X post
Oct. 28, 2022
Advertisement
“I am very happy that Twitter is now in sane hands, and will no longer be run by Radical Left Lunatics and Maniacs that truly hate our country.” Truth Social post
What Trump said
Nov. 4, 2016
“I feel a bit stronger that he is not the right guy. He doesn’t seem to have the sort of character that reflects well on the United States.”
Jan. 22, 2020
Advertisement
“He’s one of our great geniuses, and we have to protect our genius.”
July 9, 2022
“So he’s another bullshit artist.”
July 11, 2022
“I don’t hate the man, but it’s time for Trump to hang up his hat & sail into the sunset.” X post
Oct. 28, 2022
Advertisement
“I am very happy that Twitter is now in sane hands, and will no longer be run by Radical Left Lunatics and Maniacs that truly hate our country.” Truth Social post
Mr. Musk in 2022 reinstated Mr. Trump’s account on Twitter, now X, after purchasing the social media platform, but would later support Ron DeSantis in the early days of the Florida governor’s presidential campaign.
A close allyship (2024-May 2025)
Advertisement
Mr. Musk gave a strong endorsement to Mr. Trump after the first assassination attempt against him at a rally in Butler, Pa., in July 2024. That year, Mr. Musk spent over a quarter of a billion dollars helping to elect Mr. Trump, and was later rewarded with a top adviser position and broad powers to slash the federal bureaucracy.
Mr. Musk made a stunning Oval Office appearance in February, alongside Mr. Trump. During his time as a “special government employee,” Mr. Musk had a public spat with a top Trump economic adviser, Peter Navarro.
Advertisement
Advertisement
What Musk said
July 13, 2024
“I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery” X post
Oct. 5, 2024
“What a great guy. And he’d rather be making rocket ships because he’d really rather do that. Nobody better.”
Advertisement
Oct. 5, 2024
“We had one president who couldn’t climb a flight of stairs and another who was fist pumping after getting shot. Fight, fight, fight.”
Nov. 11, 2024
“I’m happy to be first buddy!” X post
Feb 11, 2025
“He’s a big businessman, he’s a successful guy. That’s why we want him doing this.”
Advertisement
March 11, 2025
“I’m going to buy a brand new Tesla tomorrow morning as a show of confidence and support for Elon Musk, a truly great American.” Truth Social post
April 8, 2025
Navarro is dumber than a sack of bricks. X post
May 27, 2025
“I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing.”
May 30, 2025
Advertisement
“He’s one of the greatest business leaders and innovators the world has ever produced.”
May 30, 2025
“I’ll continue to be visiting here and be a friend and advisor to the president.”
What Trump said
Advertisement
July 13, 2024
“I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery” X post
Oct. 5, 2024
“What a great guy. And he’d rather be making rocket ships because he’d really rather do that. Nobody better.”
Oct. 5, 2024
“We had one president who couldn’t climb a flight of stairs and another who was fist pumping after getting shot. Fight, fight, fight.”
Advertisement
Nov. 11, 2024
“I’m happy to be first buddy!” X post
Feb 11, 2025
“He’s a big businessman, he’s a successful guy. That’s why we want him doing this.”
March 11, 2025
“I’m going to buy a brand new Tesla tomorrow morning as a show of confidence and support for Elon Musk, a truly great American.” Truth Social post
April 8, 2025
Advertisement
Navarro is dumber than a sack of bricks. X post
May 27, 2025
“I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing.”
May 30, 2025
“He’s one of the greatest business leaders and innovators the world has ever produced.”
May 30, 2025
Advertisement
“I’ll continue to be visiting here and be a friend and advisor to the president.”
Feud (June 2025)
Cloying flattery abruptly turned into a hostile feud after Mr. Musk criticized the president’s signature domestic policy bill. The two men traded insults — mostly over their respective social media platforms — in what has become a very public breakup.
Advertisement
Advertisement
What Musk said
June 3, 2025
Advertisement
“This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination.” X post
June 5, 2025
“I’m very disappointed in Elon.”
June 5, 2025
“Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate.” X post
June 5, 2025
“Elon was ‘wearing thin,’ I asked him to leave, I took away his EV Mandate that forced everyone to buy Electric Cars that nobody else wanted (that he knew for months I was going to do!), and he just went CRAZY!” Truth Social post
June 5, 2025
Advertisement
“The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts” Truth Social post
June 5, 2025
“@realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!” X post
What Trump said
June 3, 2025
“This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination.” X post
June 5, 2025
Advertisement
“I’m very disappointed in Elon.”
June 5, 2025
“Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate.” X post
June 5, 2025
“Elon was ‘wearing thin,’ I asked him to leave, I took away his EV Mandate that forced everyone to buy Electric Cars that nobody else wanted (that he knew for months I was going to do!), and he just went CRAZY!” Truth Social post
June 5, 2025
“The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts” Truth Social post
June 5, 2025
Advertisement
“@realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!” X post
