A Timeline of Elon Musk’s Evolving Relationship With Trump

Elon Musk and Donald Trump have had one thing of an on-again-off-again relationship over time.

The world’s richest particular person and the two-time president of the US weren’t all the time shut, however turned singular political allies, with Musk calling himself “first buddy” following Trump’s 2024 victory and donating greater than $200 million towards pro-Trump tremendous PACs.

Originally of Trump’s second time period, Musk was ceaselessly seen on the president’s aspect and served because the de facto head of the White Home DOGE workplace, the cost-cutting initiative that made waves all through the federal authorities.

In Might, Musk began to separate himself considerably from Trump, saying he’d dedicate extra time to his companies and spend much less cash on politics.

By early June, it appeared that their relationship was blowing up in actual time as the 2 publicly disagreed over the “Large, Lovely Invoice.” Musk’s criticism of the invoice — and Trump’s criticism of his criticism — continued via the tip of the month, with the Tesla CEO calling it “totally insane” as Republicans’ self-imposed deadline for passage approached.

This is how the 2 billionaires reached this level.

November 2016: Musk says Trump is ‘not the fitting man’ for the job

Simply earlier than the 2016 presidential election, Musk informed CNBC he did not assume Trump ought to be president. 

“I really feel a bit stronger that he’s not the fitting man. He does not appear to have the type of character that displays effectively on the US,” Musk mentioned. 

The billionaire added that Hillary Clinton’s financial and environmental insurance policies have been the “proper ones.”

December 2016: Musk appointed to Trump’s advisory councils

After he gained the presidency, Trump appointed Musk to 2 financial advisory councils, together with different enterprise leaders like Uber CEO Travis Kalanick. 

Musk acquired criticism for working with the controversial president, however he defended his alternative by saying he was utilizing the place to foyer for higher environmental and immigration insurance policies. 

June 2017: Musk reduce ties with the White Home in protest of Trump’s environmental insurance policies

On June 1, 2017, after Trump introduced the US would pull out of the Paris Settlement on local weather change, Musk resigned from his roles on presidential advisory boards. 

“Local weather change is actual. Leaving Paris just isn’t good for America or the world,” Musk mentioned in a tweet saying his departure.

Musk’s objective for Tesla is to curb dependence on fossil fuels via electrical autos, solar energy, and stationary power storage. 

January 2020: ‘One in every of our nice geniuses’

Throughout a January 2020 interview with CNBC, Trump praised Musk’s accomplishments and intelligence. 

“It’s a must to give him credit score,” the previous president mentioned, referring to Tesla changing into extra helpful than Ford and Normal Motors. “He is additionally doing the rockets. He likes rockets. And he is doing good at rockets too, by the best way.” 

Trump went on to name Musk “one among our nice geniuses” and likened him to Thomas Edison. 

Might 2020: Trump backs up Musk in feud with California’s COVID-19 guidelines

Because the pandemic gripped the US in early 2020, Musk clashed with California public-health officers who pressured Tesla to briefly shut down its manufacturing unit there. Trump voiced his assist for Musk. 

“California ought to let Tesla & @elonmusk open the plant, NOW,” Trump tweeted in Might 2020. “It may be completed Quick & Safely!”

“Thanks!” Musk replied. 

Might 2022: Musk mentioned he would reinstate Trump’s Twitter account

In Might, Musk mentioned he would unban Trump as Twitter’s new proprietor. 

Musk known as the ban a “morally dangerous resolution” and “silly to the intense” in an interview with the Monetary Instances. Twitter kicked Trump off its platform following the January 6, 2021, assault on the US Capitol. 

The Tesla billionaire has known as himself a “free speech absolutist,” and one among his key objectives for taking Twitter non-public was to loosen content material moderation. 

July 2022: Trump calls Musk a ‘bullshit artist’

In July, Trump took intention at Musk, saying the businessman voted for him however later denied it. 

“You realize [Musk] mentioned the opposite day ‘Oh, I’ve by no means voted for a Republican,'” Trump mentioned throughout a Saturday rally in Anchorage, Alaska. “I mentioned ‘I did not know that.’ He informed me he voted for me. So he is one other bullshit artist.”

On Monday, Musk tweeted that Trump’s declare was “not true.”

July 2022: Musk says Trump should not run once more

Musk stopped in need of attacking Trump personally, however mentioned he should not run for president once more. 

“I do not hate the person, nevertheless it’s time for Trump to hold up his hat & sail into the sundown. Dems also needs to name off the assault – do not make it in order that Trump’s solely technique to survive is to regain the Presidency,” he tweeted. 

He continued: “Do we actually desire a bull in a china store state of affairs each single day!? Additionally, I feel the authorized most age for begin of Presidential time period ought to be 69.” Trump is 76 years outdated. 

July 2022: Trump lashes out

Trump then went on the offensive, posting a prolonged assault on Musk on Reality Social, the social media firm he based. 

“When Elon Musk got here to the White Home asking me for assistance on all of his many sponsored tasks, whether or not it is electrical vehicles that do not drive lengthy sufficient, driverless vehicles that crash, or rocketships to nowhere, with out which subsidies he’d be nugatory, and telling me how he was an enormous Trump fan and Republican, I may have mentioned, ‘drop to your knees and beg,’ and he would have completed it,” Trump mentioned in a put up that criticized two of Musk’s ventures, Tesla and the rocket firm SpaceX. 

“Lmaooo,” Musk responded on Twitter.

October 2022: Trump cheers Musk’s Twitter deal however says he will not return

Following Musk’s official buyout of Twitter on Thursday, Trump posted to Reality Social, cheering the deal. 

“I’m very glad that Twitter is now in sane palms, and can not be run by Radical Left Lunatics and Maniacs that really hate our nation,” he mentioned. He added that he likes Reality Social higher than different platforms, echoing feedback from earlier this yr during which he dominated out a return to Twitter. 

On Monday, Musk joked concerning the potential of welcoming the previous president again to his newly acquired platform.

“If I had a greenback for each time somebody requested me if Trump is coming again on this platform, Twitter could be minting cash!,” the Tesla CEO tweeted. 

Might 2023: Musk hosts Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ glitchy debut

Musk and different right-leaning voices in Silicon Valley initially supported Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. DeSantis ended 2022 as Trump’s best-positioned main challenger. In November 2022, as DeSantis was skyrocketing to acclaim, Musk mentioned he would endorse him. In March 2023, after enduring Trump’s assaults for months, DeSantis ready to make historical past by formally saying his marketing campaign in an interview on Twitter.

The preliminary jiffy have been a glitchy catastrophe. Trump and his allies ruthlessly mocked DeSantis’ “House” with Musk and enterprise capitalist David Sachs. DeSantis’ interview later proceeded, however his marketing campaign was dogged for days with unfavorable headlines.

September 2023: A Trump-style border wall is required, Musk says

Musk live-streamed a go to to the US-Mexico border on Twitter, which he had rebranded as “X.” Musk mentioned that one among Trump’s signature insurance policies was crucial throughout his go to to Eagle Go, Texas, to get a first-person take a look at what native officers known as a disaster on the border.

“We really do want a wall and we have to require folks to have some shred of proof to say asylum to enter, as everyone seems to be doing that,” Musk wrote on X. “It is a hack that you would be able to actually Google to know precisely what to say! Will discover out extra once I go to Eagle Go possibly as quickly as tomorrow.”

Like Trump and others on the fitting, Musk had criticized the broader consensus in Washington for focusing an excessive amount of on Russia’s unprovoked conflict in opposition to Ukraine compared to home points like migration. 

March 2024: Trump tries to woo Musk, however the billionaire says he will not give him cash.

Trump tried to woo Musk throughout a gathering on the former president’s Mar-a-Lago resort. In accordance with The New York Instances, Trump met with Musk and some different GOP megadonors when the previous president’s marketing campaign was significantly cash-strapped. After the Instances revealed its report, Musk mentioned he wouldn’t be “donating cash to both candidate for US President.” 

It wasn’t clear who Musk meant by way of the second candidate. He had repeatedly criticized President Joe Biden, who regarded poised to be headed towards a rematch with Trump.

July 2024: Musk endorses Trump after the previous president is shot

Musk mentioned he “absolutely endorsed” Trump after the previous president was shot throughout a political rally forward of the Republican Nationwide Conference. The billionaire’s endorsement marked a serious turning level in his yearslong political evolution from an Obama voter. Days later, it could come to gentle that Musk pressed Trump to pick out Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his operating mate.

Trump introduced Vance as his vice presidential choose on the Republican Nationwide Conference.

The ticket, Musk wrote on X, “resounds with victory.”

It wasn’t simply his public assist that Musk was providing. In July, The Wall Road Journal reported Musk had pledged roughly $45 million to assist a pro-Trump tremendous PAC. Musk later mentioned he would donate far much less, however his rebranding right into a loyal member of the MAGA proper was full.

August 2024: Trump joins Musk for a extremely anticipated interview

Trump, who ended the Republican Nationwide Conference primed for victory, stumbled after Biden abruptly dropped out of the 2024 race. The previous president and his allies have struggled to assault Vice President Kamala Harris, now the Democratic presidential nominee.

Amid Harris’ early media blitz, Trump joined Musk on a two-hour livestream on X that garnered an viewers of over 1 million listeners. The dialog coated matters starting from a retelling of Trump’s assassination try and unlawful immigration to Musk’s potential function with a authorities effectivity fee.

In August, Trump started floating the concept that he “actually would” think about including Musk to his Cupboard or an advisory function. The Tesla CEO responded by tweeting an AI-generated picture of himself on a podium emblazoned with the acronym “D.O.G.E”—Division of Authorities Effectivity.

“I’m prepared to serve,” he wrote above the picture.

September 2024: Musk says he is able to serve if Trump provides him an advisory function

In September, Trump softened the suggestion of Musk becoming a member of his Cupboard as a result of his time constraints with operating his numerous enterprise ventures, the Washington Publish reported. Nevertheless, he additionally mentioned that Musk may “seek the advice of with the nation” and assist give “some excellent concepts.”

Musk then replied to a tweet concerning the Washington Publish article, expressing his enthusiasm.

“I can not wait. There may be a whole lot of waste and unnecessary regulation in authorities that should go,” he wrote.

He later mentioned on X that he “regarded ahead to serving” the nation and could be prepared to do with with none pay, title, or recognition.

October 2024: Musk speaks at Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania

Musk joined Trump onstage through the former president’s rally, hosted on October 5 in the identical location the place Trump survived an assassination try in July. Musk sported an all-black “Make America Nice Once more” cap and briefly addressed the gang, saying that voter turnout for Trump this yr was important or “this would be the final election.” 

“President Trump should win to protect the Structure,” Musk mentioned. “He should win to protect democracy in America.”

The subsequent day, Musk’s America PAC introduced that it could provide $47 to every one that refers registered voters residing in swing states to signal a petition “in assist for the First and Second Amendments.”

By October, the PAC had reportedly already spent over $80 million on the election, with over $8.2 million unfold throughout 18 aggressive Home races for the GOP. 

The Tesla CEO later informed former Fox Information host Tucker Carlson that he would possibly face “vengeance” if Trump loses the election.

November 2024: Trump wins the presidency and names Musk his administration

Musk was by Trump’s aspect on election night time at Mar-a-Lago, serving to have a good time his victory.

Almost per week after his 2024 presidential election win, Trump introduced that Musk and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy have been chosen to steer a newly minted Division of Authorities Effectivity (or DOGE, as Musk likes to name it, in reference to the meme-inspired cryptocurrency Dogecoin).

“Collectively, these two fantastic Individuals can pay the best way for my Administration to dismantle the Authorities Forms, slash extra laws, reduce wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Businesses,” Trump mentioned in an announcement. 

It is unclear whether or not the division will formally exist inside the authorities, although Trump mentioned the workplace would “present recommendation and steering from outdoors of Authorities” and work straight with the White Home and Workplace of Administration & Price range.

Musk responded in a put up on X that the Division of Authorities Effectivity will probably be put up all their actions on-line “for optimum transparency.” 

“Anytime the general public thinks we’re chopping one thing essential or not chopping one thing wasteful, simply tell us!” Musk wrote. “We can even have a leaderboard for many insanely dumb spending of your {dollars}. This will probably be each extraordinarily tragic and intensely entertaining.”

Outdoors of administrative duties, Musk has additionally attended “virtually each assembly and plenty of meals that Mr. Trump has had,” the New York Instances reported, appearing as a partial advisor and confidant. The Tesla CEO additionally reportedly joined Trump’s calls with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan whereas each males have been on the president-elect’s Mar-a-Lago membership, the place Musk appears to have settled in.

“Elon will not go house,” Trump informed NBC Information jokingly. “I can not do away with him.” 

The 2’s shut relationship has prolonged to a extra private friendship. Musk was seen attending Trump’s Thanksgiving dinner and on the golf course with Trump and his grandchildren, the place Kai Trump mentioned he achieved “uncle standing.”

December 2024: Trump reaffirms he would be the subsequent President, not Musk

Whereas Musk and Trump are each huge personalities, the President-elect made it clear that he’ll be the one operating the nation. President-elect Donald Trump dismissed the notion that he “ceded the presidency” to Musk and mentioned that even when the billionaire needed to be president, he could not as a result of he was born in South Africa.

“No, he isn’t going to be president, that I can let you know,” Trump mentioned at Turning Level USA’s annual “AmericaFest” in December. “And I am secure. You realize why? He cannot be? He wasn’t born on this nation.”

Trump’s feedback got here after Musk flexed his affect to assist shut down a bipartisan emergency spending invoice earlier that month. Some Republicans questioned why Trump hadn’t been extra lively in derailing the invoice, and Democrats baited the President-elect on social media with posts about Musk “calling the photographs” and taking up the function of a “shadow president.

Previous to Trump addressing the topic, Trump’s staff additionally regarded to close down the concept that Musk is main the Republican Celebration.

“As quickly as President Trump launched his official stance on the CR, Republicans on Capitol Hill echoed his perspective,” Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for the Trump-Vance transition, informed BI. “President Trump is the chief of the Republican Celebration. Full cease.”

January 2025: Musk and fellow billionaires have a good time Trump’s inauguration

Trump was sworn into workplace on January 20. A number of tech leaders have been in attendance, together with Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, and Google’s Sundar Pichai. The “first buddy” was additionally entrance and heart for Trump’s inauguration.

Musk took the stage to have a good time at an inauguration occasion on the Capital One Area, the place he sparked accusations over a gesture he made that some mentioned resembled a Nazi salute. Musk denied the allegations.

“Hopefully, folks understand I am not a Nazi. Simply to be clear, I am not a Nazi,” he mentioned throughout an interview with Joe Rogan.

February 2025: The White Home says Musk is not operating DOGE

Although Musk has been the face of the DOGE effort, White Home court docket filings mentioned he has “no precise or formal authority to make authorities choices himself.”

Within the submitting, Musk is described as a senior advisor to Trump with “no larger authority than different senior White Home advisors.” Officers have additionally known as him a “particular authorities worker.”

Trump informed reporters they’ll name Musk “no matter you need.”

“Elon is to me a patriot,” Trump mentioned in February. “You may name him an worker, you could possibly name him a guide, you could possibly name him no matter you need.”

Later that month, a White Home official informed BI that Amy Gleason, who beforehand labored for US Digital Service, is the appearing DOGE administrator.

March 2025: Trump buys a Tesla and calls out protesters

Regardless of court docket filings and White Home officers stating in any other case, Trump informed Congress that Musk is the chief of the DOGE workplace.

“I’ve created the brand-new Division of Authorities Effectivity, DOGE, maybe you’ve got heard of it, which is headed by Elon Musk, who’s within the gallery tonight,” Trump mentioned throughout his speech on March 4.

These questioning the constitutionality of DOGE have been fast to reply by letting a federal choose learn about their claims that Musk is in cost.

In the meantime, requires a Tesla boycott are rising as Musk turns into extra concerned in Trump’s presidency. Protests, boycotts, and vandalism at Tesla dealerships throughout the US have unfold because the starting of 2025.

Trump stepped in to defend Musk’s electrical automotive firm on Tuesday, with Teslas on the South Garden of the White Home. In a put up on Reality Social, he wrote that he’d buy a automotive to indicate assist amid the general public outcry.

“The Radical Left Lunatics, as they typically do, try to illegally and collusively boycott Tesla, one of many World’s nice automakers, and Elon’s ‘child,’ with a purpose to assault and do hurt to Elon, and every thing he stands for,” the president wrote.

April 2025: Musk broadcasts he is stepping again from DOGE

Three months into DOGE’s mission to reshape the federal workforce, Musk introduced that he could be stepping again from the hassle. He broke the information throughout an underwhelming Tesla earnings name, the place earnings per share have been down 71% yr over yr.

“Beginning subsequent month, I will probably be allocating much more of my time to Tesla,” Musk mentioned through the name. He added that “the most important work of building the Division of Authorities Effectivity” had been accomplished.

On the time, Musk mentioned he would maintain spending one or two days every week on governmental duties, as long as Trump needed him to take action.

Might 2025: Musk says he’ll be spending much less on politics, criticizes the Republican agenda, and broadcasts he is leaving authorities for good

By Might, Musk began to step again from his political exercise total. Throughout an interview on the Qatar Financial Discussion board, he mentioned he thinks he is “completed sufficient” by way of political contributions.

“When it comes to political spending, I’ll do so much much less sooner or later,” he mentioned, including that he did not “at present see a cause” to pour cash into politics. Beforehand, Musk had mentioned his tremendous PAC would contribute to 2026 midterm efforts.

A couple of days later, Musk informed a reporter that he “most likely did spend a bit an excessive amount of time on politics,” and that he’d “diminished that considerably in latest weeks.”

Musk took a decidedly extra important tone concerning the general Republican agenda. In an interview with CBS in late Might, he mentioned he wasn’t happy with Trump and Home Republicans’ “huge lovely” spending invoice.

“I used to be disillusioned to see the large spending invoice, frankly, which will increase the finances deficit, not simply lower it, and undermines the work that the DOGE staff is doing,” Musk mentioned.

After which, on Might 28, Musk reduce ties with DOGE and the Trump administration. The White Home confirmed that it had began Musk’s off-boarding course of.

“As my scheduled time as a Particular Authorities Worker involves an finish, I want to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the chance to cut back wasteful spending,” Musk wrote in a put up on X. “The @DOGE mission will solely strengthen over time because it turns into a lifestyle all through the federal government.”

Underneath federal regulation, particular authorities workers cannot serve for greater than 130 days a yr. Musk left the administration 128 days after the inauguration.

June 2025: Musk and Trump escalate assaults, after Tesla CEO delivers sharp rebuke in opposition to the ‘Large Lovely Invoice.’

Days after stepping away from his job within the White Home, Musk delivered his harshest criticism but of the GOP spending proposal known as the “Large Lovely Invoice.”

“I am sorry, however I simply can’t stand it anymore,” Musk wrote on X on June 3. “This large, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending invoice is a disgusting abomination. Disgrace on those that voted for it: you recognize you probably did unsuitable. You realize it.”

Some congressional Republicans, together with Sens. Rand Paul and Mike Lee, posted that they agreed with Musk. In the meantime, Trump has constantly defended the invoice on Reality Social, together with simply hours earlier than Musk’s important put up on X.

In an interview with CBS Information that aired June 1, Musk mentioned, “I am just a little caught in a bind the place I am like, effectively, I do not need to communicate up in opposition to the administration, however I additionally do not need to take accountability for every thing the administration’s doing.”

On June 5, the barbs escalated as Musk doubled down on his criticisms and Trump threatened the CEO’s companies.

Musk started to dig up outdated tweets from Trump, together with one the place the president mentioned in 2013, “I can’t consider the Republicans are extending the debt ceiling—I’m a Republican & I’m embarrassed!”

Musk quote-tweeted it with the message, “Smart phrases,” taking a dig at Trump’s very completely different stance on the debt ceiling immediately.

Trump first shot again with a softer/extra diplomatic response, saying that the CEO and he “had a terrific relationship,” however he wasn’t positive if it could proceed.

The president mentioned Musk was criticizing his invoice due to the phase-out of the electrical car tax credit score, which might doubtless have repercussions for Musk’s Tesla.

Musk shot again inside minutes on X, saying that whereas he thought the EV phase-out was unfair, what he actually took challenge with was the “MOUNTAIN of DISGUSTING PORK within the invoice.”

The tone quickly took a pointy flip after the president threatened on the identical day to terminate the federal contracts that Musk’s firms, together with SpaceX and Tesla, depend on, and Musk started to take credit score for Trump’s 2024 electoral victory.

In response to Trump’s risk to cancel the federal government contracts, Musk mentioned on X that he’d instantly decommission SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, which offers NASA transport to and from the Worldwide House Station.

Because the Senate teed as much as vote on the invoice on the finish of the month, Musk reiterated his disapproval.

“The newest Senate draft invoice will destroy hundreds of thousands of jobs in America and trigger immense strategic hurt to our nation! Completely insane and damaging,” Musk mentioned on X on June 28. “It provides handouts to industries of the previous whereas severely damaging industries of the longer term.”

He continued to bash the invoice on X, focusing particularly on how it could finish Biden-era tax credit for renewable power and saying that the invoice would most likely lower America’s power capability. It will be, he mentioned in a put up on June 28, “extremely damaging.”

Trump responded that very same weekend, although in considerably muted tones. He known as Musk a “fantastic man” in an interview with Fox Information, including that the 2 have not spoken a lot.

“He is a sensible man. And he really went and campaigned with me and this and that,” Trump mentioned. “However he acquired just a little bit upset, and that wasn’t acceptable.”