Elon Musk and Donald Trump: From Billionaire Bromance to Public Breakup

Elon Musk and Donald Trump. Just their names spark intense reactions. One is the world’s most famous tech tycoon, the other a former U.S. president with a loyal political base. For a brief, wild moment in history, their paths aligned. But like most intense relationships, it didn’t last.

What began as a wary distance between two powerful personalities evolved into a short-lived political partnership. Then it all unraveled. And fast.

From Eye-Roll to Endorsement

Rewind to 2016. Musk wasn’t a fan of Trump’s presidential ambitions. He made it clear that Trump lacked the temperament needed for serious leadership. But politics is fluid, and Musk eventually found himself on two of Trump’s advisory councils in 2017. That didn’t last either—Musk resigned when the Trump administration pulled out of the Paris Climate Accord.

Years later, in 2024, their story took an unexpected turn. After Trump survived an assassination attempt, Musk publicly backed his re-election. More than just tweets and applause, Musk put serious money on the table—$260 million in campaign support. It was one of the biggest private contributions of the cycle.

Trump returned the favor by naming Musk co-chair of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, a.k.a. DOGE. The mission? Slash government spending and bureaucracy. It was classic Trump flair with a Musk twist.

The Honeymoon Period

At first, it was all bromance and back-patting. Trump called Musk “a smart guy” and admired his no-nonsense approach to trimming federal fat. Musk seemed genuinely excited too, praising Trump and saying, “The more I’ve gotten to know President Trump, the more I like him.”

For a moment, it looked like the tech mogul and the political showman had finally found common ground.

Cracks in the Foundation

But things started to sour. Despite early success, DOGE quickly hit bureaucratic walls and political resistance. When Trump’s administration passed a new tax and spending bill—ironically expanding government—Musk was livid. The bill flew in the face of everything DOGE stood for.

Just 130 days in, Musk stepped down.

He didn’t make a dramatic exit. No fireworks, no press conference. Just a statement that he was pulling back from politics to focus on business. But the timing said everything. The bromance had fizzled.

Musk on South Africa: Business Meets Identity Politics

While all this was unfolding, Musk was also making waves with comments about his country of birth, South Africa. He accused the government of excluding his company, Starlink, from operating due to Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) laws.

“Starlink is not allowed to operate in South Africa because I’m not black,” he posted bluntly on X.

The comment sparked massive backlash. But Musk didn’t stop there. He later called for sanctions against firebrand South African politician Julius Malema, accusing him of inciting racial violence.

Malema’s response? A fiery takedown.

“You’re a spoiled brat,” he said. “A direct beneficiary of Apartheid whiteness… America is exposing us to its stupidity. I don’t care about your sanctions.”

What’s Left of the Alliance?

Today, Musk has all but exited the Trump orbit. The Department of Government Efficiency exists in name but without its star co-chair. And Musk has made it clear that he’s done playing political games, at least for now.

But if there’s anything we’ve learned about Elon Musk, it’s that he never stays silent for long.

Power Partnerships Are Always Risky

Elon Musk’s brief political dance with Donald Trump shows just how messy it can get when big money, big egos, and big ideas collide. The relationship burned bright and flamed out fast. What remains is a cautionary tale about mixing business with politics and the unpredictable nature of alliances in the public eye.

Whether you love or loathe either man, one thing is clear: their story is far from over.

{Source: IOL}

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