The honeymoon between Donald Trump and Elon Musk appears to have come to an abrupt end.
New tariffs imposed by the US administration have not only sparked intense debates over trade policies but have also exposed deep fractures between the American president and the CEO of Tesla. Once considered an unbreakable duo, they now find themselves in an open crisis.
Despite his role as one of Trump’s most vocal supporters for innovative and industrial policies, Musk has strongly criticized the tariffs imposed on China – a key partner for his companies. In an attempt to stop these measures, Musk made a personal appeal to Trump, but his plea fell on deaf ears.
Even after the 90-day suspension of the tariffs, their relationship showed no signs of improving. Instead of softening, Musk became even more direct in his criticisms. In a speech at the League Congress, he openly called for a free trade zone between the US and Europe, suggesting that tariffs were not the way forward.
Not content with general critiques, Musk pinpointed the main culprit: Peter Navarro, Trump’s economic advisor and the architect of the tariffs. In typical Musk fashion, he called Navarro “dumber than a sack of bricks” and sarcastically dubbed him “Peter the Delayed.”
Meanwhile, Musk’s brother, Kimball, a Tesla board member, referred to the policy as “a permanent tax on American consumers” and an unjust interference in the free market.
Perhaps the clearest signal of an inevitable split came after the Wisconsin Supreme Court elections, where Musk-backed Republican candidates lost. This result sparked a storm of criticism within Trump’s circle, who began to see Musk’s support as more of a hindrance than help.
On the other hand, Musk has not hidden his growing disappointment. The president, who once promised a golden new era, is now seen by Musk as a leader steering the economy toward a recession.
