Elon Musk could have lastly reached the tip of his rope with President Donald Trump—and vice versa. Whereas the world’s richest man wars with the US president on X, Republican strategists and insiders in Trumpworld inform WIRED that Musk’s broader future in Republican politics is on shaky floor.
Over the previous few days on X, Musk has posted more and more private criticisms at Trump and the Republican price range reconciliation bundle generally known as the Massive Stunning Invoice. This got here to a head on Thursday, when Trump addressed the connection throughout a press convention with German chancellor Friedrich Merz.
“Elon and I had an awesome relationship. I don’t know if we are going to anymore,” mentioned Trump, who in contrast Musk to previous aides who’ve, he mentioned, developed “Trump derangement syndrome” after leaving his administration.
Trump and Musk have been in lockstep since Musk endorsed the president in July 2024. Musk poured a whole bunch of tens of millions of {dollars} into Trump’s reelection bid, and their shut relationship has been promoted by the pair numerous occasions. Simply final week, the 2 held a joint press convention as an obvious celebration of and conclusion to Musk’s time as a particular authorities worker concerned along with his so-called Division of Authorities Effectivity (DOGE).
Right now’s remarks, although, reveal how fractured that relationship has turn out to be. “With out me, Trump would have misplaced the election,” Musk posted on X shortly after Trump’s feedback. “Dems would management the Home and the Republicans can be 51-49 within the Senate.”
Behind the scenes, Trumpworld Republicans inform WIRED, this rigidity is about greater than only a bromance falling aside. If Musk continues to escalate, he could drag down laws that Trump sees as a key a part of his political legacy.
“If [Musk] truly efficiently will get any votes switched to tank this invoice and kills it,” a senior Trumpworld strategist tells WIRED, “then I feel at that time he’s fucking lifeless to Donald Trump.”
This Republican—who, just like the 4 WIRED spoke to for this story, requested anonymity to maintain what’s left of their political futures alive after the present implosion of the Trump-Musk relationship—went on to say that Musk meddling within the Massive Stunning Invoice got here on the worst time and with the very best stakes for the Trump White Home.
At finest, they are saying, Trump has “18 months” to cement his legacy along with his signature laws. “A few of the priorities of President Trump are usually not potential exterior of this invoice.” After that, this identical senior Republican mentioned, the rest of Trump’s time period will doubtless be hamstrung by an anticipated Democratic victory within the Home within the midterms that might forestall any main legislative wins.
“No matter,” Musk tweeted minutes after Trump’s remark about their relationship and the president’s claims that Musk was solely upset concerning the potential impression to his automotive enterprise. “Hold the EV/photo voltaic incentive cuts within the invoice, though no oil & gasoline subsidies are touched (very unfair!!), however ditch the MOUNTAIN of DISGUSTING PORK within the invoice. In the complete historical past of civilization, there has by no means been laws that (sic) each large and delightful. Everybody is aware of this! Both you get a giant and ugly invoice or a slim and delightful invoice. Slim and delightful is the way in which.” Musk has continued posting, attacking, he says, what he believes is Trump’s about-face on elevating the debt ceiling.
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