As of now, there isn't a particular incident or event specifically involving both Elon Musk and Donald Trump that is highly notable. However, there have been few occurrences where they publicly exchanged their viewpoints.
Space Exploration: Donald Trump praised Elon Musk's SpaceX for its significant achievements in space exploration during his administration. Trump highlighted the importance of commercial space companies like SpaceX during the launch of Demo-2 mission in May 2020.
Criticism of COVID-19 Restrictions: Elon Musk criticized California's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including shutting down businesses to slow the virus' spread. Trump tweeted in support of Musk's concerns, saying "California should let Tesla & @elonmusk open the plant, NOW."
Twitter Exchange: In March 2020, Elon Musk tweeted that he had extra FDA-approved ventilators and would ship them to hospitals worldwide. Trump retweeted Musk's tweet with his thank-you message.
These instances depict some of their intersections in the public sphere, but in general, both Elon Musk and Donald Trump operate in quite different areas and contexts. If there's a specific event or situation you're referring to, please provide additional information, and I would be happy to help with more details.
Elon Musk and Donald Trump have had a complex and evolving relationship over the years, marked by both collaboration and public disagreements. Here's a summary of key events and developments:
2012-2016: Elon Musk and Donald Trump had limited public interactions during this period. Musk was generally critical of Trump's policies and public statements.
2016 Election: Musk did not endorse Trump during the 2016 presidential election. He was seen as more aligned with Democratic candidates, having supported Hillary Clinton.
January 2017: After Trump's election, Musk was appointed to two of Trump's advisory councils: the Strategic and Policy Forum and the Manufacturing Jobs Initiative. Musk's involvement was seen as an attempt to influence policy in favor of renewable energy and technology.
June 2017: Musk resigned from these advisory councils in protest after Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement. Musk stated that he felt it was no longer possible to make a positive impact on the councils.
2018-2020: Musk and Trump had several public spats, particularly over social media. Musk criticized Trump's policies on climate change, immigration, and other issues.
2020 Election: Musk did not endorse a candidate in the 2020 election but expressed support for some of Trump's policies, such as tax cuts for businesses. He also criticized some of Joe Biden's proposed policies.
2022-2023: After Musk's acquisition of Twitter (now known as X), Trump and Musk had a few notable interactions. Trump rejoined the platform in November 2022 after being banned following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
2024 Election: As of early 2024, Musk has not publicly endorsed a candidate for the upcoming presidential election. However, he has continued to engage with Trump on social media and has expressed support for some of Trump's policies, particularly those related to business and technology.
The relationship between Elon Musk and Donald Trump has been characterized by a mix of cooperation and conflict. While Musk initially tried to work with Trump through advisory roles, he ultimately resigned due to policy disagreements. Their interactions since then have been marked by public disputes and occasional alignment on specific issues.
If you're looking for more specific information or updates on recent events, please let me know!
The relationship between Elon Musk and Donald Trump has been complex and somewhat turbulent, marked by both praise and criticism. Here's a summary of key events:
Early Praise and Support (Generally): Initially, there seemed to be a degree of alignment, or at least a lack of direct conflict. Musk has generally praised policies that he sees as beneficial to innovation and business.
Criticism of Trump's Policies: There have been instances where Musk publicly disagreed with Trump's policies, particularly those related to climate change and immigration. Musk, despite being on advisory councils for Trump, stepped down from them in protest of the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.
Trump's Criticism of Musk/Tesla: Trump has, at times, criticized Musk and Tesla, especially when Musk has been critical of him or his policies. This has often been related to government subsidies that Tesla received.
Musk's Acquisition of Twitter/X and Trump's Return: Musk's purchase of Twitter (now X) led to a reinstatement of Trump's account, which had been previously banned following the January 6th Capitol riot. Musk described his decision as being rooted in his commitment to free speech. However, Trump initially stated he would stick to his own platform, Truth Social, though he eventually returned to posting on X.
Recent Tensions/Conflict (AI and Politics): More recently, there have been reports of increased tensions between Musk and Trump, particularly related to the rise of artificial intelligence and the political landscape. Musk's increasing involvement in promoting certain political viewpoints has also caused friction.
In short, it's a dynamic relationship that has shifted over time depending on specific policy issues, business interests, and the political climate. There have been moments of apparent alignment and support, followed by periods of public disagreement and criticism. The purchase of Twitter and subsequent reinstatement of Trump's account marked a significant moment, though tensions seem to have resurfaced.
The relationship between Elon Musk and Donald Trump, which had shifted from rivalry to alliance and back again, dramatically and publicly imploded in early June 2025 over a dispute regarding government spending and legislation[2][1][3].
Key Events Leading to the Feud
Summary
The Musk-Trump feud began over policy disagreements and quickly turned personal, played out in real time on social media, with each side making increasingly provocative statements and threats. The conflict is notable for its immediate and wide-ranging impact on both politics and critical government contracts[1][2][3].