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ELON MUSK MAY have finally reached the end of his rope with President Donald Trump—and vice versa. While the world’s richest man wars with the US president on X, Republican strategists and insiders in Trumpworld tell WIRED that Musk’s broader future in Republican politics is on shaky ground.
Over the past few days on X, Musk has posted increasingly personal criticisms at Trump and the Republican budget reconciliation package known as the Big Beautiful Bill. This came to a head on Thursday, when Trump addressed the relationship during a press conference with German chancellor Friedrich Merz.
“Elon and I had a great relationship. I don’t know if we will anymore,” said Trump, who compared Musk to past aides who have, he said, 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 hundreds of millions of dollars into Trump’s reelection bid, and their close relationship has been promoted by the pair countless times. Just last week, the two held a joint press conference as an apparent celebration of and conclusion to Musk’s time as a special government employee involved with his so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
