First Buddy to Feud to Reconciliation: The Tumultuous Rise, Fall and Thaw of Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s Relationship

Elon Musk and Donald Trump have maintained one of the most public, unpredictable relationships in recent political history — moving from skepticism and bureaucratic advisory roles to close political alignment, a dramatic public split, and a gradual reconciliation. This timeline traces the key episodes that defined their bond from 2016 through early 2026, clarifying roles, tensions and outcomes while preserving the main facts.

Early Friction and Advisory Roles (2016–2017)

Shortly before the 2016 election, Musk publicly said he did not believe Trump was the right choice for president, praising Hillary Clinton's policy instincts on economy and the environment. After Trump won, he appointed Musk to two economic advisory councils. Musk defended his participation as an opportunity to influence climate and immigration policy, but resigned from the councils on June 1, 2017, after Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris climate accord, tweeting: 'Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world.'

Periods Of Warmth: Praise, Pandemic Support And Twitter (2020–2022)

The pair traded praise at times. In January 2020, Trump lauded Musk as a genius and applauded Tesla and SpaceX achievements. During early COVID-19 factory closures, Trump publicly supported Musk’s push to reopen Tesla production in California.

When Musk bought Twitter in October 2022, he framed restoring Trump’s account as a free-speech move. He had criticized Twitter’s 2021 decision to ban Trump after the January 6 Capitol attack and described himself as a 'free speech absolutist.' Their public relationship continued to oscillate between compliments and barbs.

Deeper Political Alignment And The 2024 Campaign

By the 2024 campaign cycle Musk became a major backer of Trump, contributing heavily through America PAC and other pro-Trump efforts — reportedly donating more than $200 million to pro-Trump super PACs. Musk frequently appeared with Trump on X (formerly Twitter), livestreamed conversations with the candidate, and publicly supported signature immigration positions, including stricter asylum requirements.

Musk’s support included visible campaign appearances: he joined Trump onstage at a high-profile October 2024 rally and campaigned alongside him during the final stretch of the race. After Trump’s election victory, he and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy were announced as leaders of a White House initiative informally dubbed the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a role Musk embraced publicly though court filings later noted he had no formal authority to make government decisions.

DOGE, Business Backlash And Early White House Tensions (Early 2025)

Musk’s near-constant presence at Mar-a-Lago and his high profile with DOGE provoked protests, boycotts and vandalism at Tesla dealerships. He was described in filings as a senior adviser and a 'special government employee,' limited by federal rules to a capped number of service days. In March 2025, Musk announced he would reduce his time on DOGE to spend more time on Tesla after disappointing corporate results.

The Breakover The 'Big Beautiful Bill' (May–July 2025)

Relations collapsed after Musk publicly attacked a massive bipartisan spending package known colloquially as the 'Big Beautiful Bill.' He denounced it as 'massive, outrageous, pork-filled' and a fiscal betrayal of spending restraint. Trump accused Musk of ingratitude and threatened to cancel federal contracts that Musk’s companies — including SpaceX and Tesla — rely upon. Musk retaliated on X, at one point saying he would decommission SpaceX's Dragon crew capsule if government contracts were terminated, and floated the idea of forming a new political party, later announcing the America Party in July 2025. Trump signed the spending bill on July 4, 2025.

Public Reunion, Diplomatic Dinners And A New Normal (Late 2025–Early 2026)

After weeks of hostile exchanges, the pair publicly reconciled in stages. They were photographed greeting each other at memorial events in September 2025 and later appeared together at a White House dinner with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in November. Trump described their dispute as 'a stupid moment' and said he still liked Musk. Musk attended the White House dinner, posted a photo with Trump and other leaders, and later publicly supported some of the administration’s actions abroad.

Where Things Stand

The Musk–Trump relationship has threaded political support, personal friendship, and public feuding. It has produced tangible consequences — heavy political spending from Musk, high-profile advisory roles without formal authority, business backlash and threats to federal contracts, and a brief flirtation with third-party politics. As of early 2026, public interactions and shared appearances suggest a thaw, though the episode over federal spending demonstrated how quickly their alliance can turn adversarial.

Key Takeaway: The relationship has been pragmatic, transactional and volatile — defined as much by shared political goals as by business interests and individual clashes over policy.