Bromance exploded: Why Donald Trump and Elon Musk have turned on each other

Their political partnership once raised eyebrows — now it’s in flames, as Donald Trump and Elon Musk publicly turn on each other in a fiery clash that always seemed inevitable.

It was the explosive break-up seen coming from outer space.

From the moment Donald Trump invited Elon Musk on stage at his presidential victory party, their budding bromance seemed doomed to fail.

Two of the most powerful men in America, both known for their strong opinions and their willingness to share them unfiltered to their millions of followers, could not agree forever.

It was simply a question of how and when that disagreement would occur.

For months they defied the expectations of the when.

From the moment Donald Trump invited Elon Musk on stage at his presidential victory party, their budding bromance seemed doomed to fail.

Mr Musk, often with his young son in tow, was a regular fixture in the White House – standing beside the president in the Oval Office, holding court in Cabinet meetings and taking weekend jaunts to Mar-a-Lago on board Air Force One.

The world’s richest man paid a high price for his friendship with the leader of the free world.

There was the obvious cash outlay – about $250 million USD to Mr Trump’s election campaign.

As the leader of the Department of Government Efficiency, he also became the lightning rod for the backlash against the administration’s deep spending and personnel cuts.

President Donald Trump said that he asked "crazy" Elon Musk to leave his administration and threatened to take away the tech tycoon's government contracts. Picture: AFP

His business and reputation were battered. Global Tesla sales slumped, stocks plummeted, the brand became a target for politically-motivated vandalism and Musk’s board demanded he return his focus to the embattled company.

So it’s little surprise that the inevitable demise of the bromance came down to money – both in their conflicting views on the financial impact of the president’s key spending bill – and in the president’s claims that Musk’s criticism of it was financially motivated.

That jab prompted the simmering feud to boil over with the ferocity of an exploding SpaceX rocket.

What began as a political feud over legislative issues has become deeply personal and leaves little chance of reconciliation.

After hours of shocking back and forth, Musk delivered the death knell, writing: “Time to drop the really big bomb: @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!”

Mr Musk, often with his young son in tow, was a regular fixture in the White House. Picture: AFP

He went on to share photos and videos of Mr Trump with the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein who was convicted of heinous sex crimes.

As the pair continue to trade increasingly vicious barbs and threats, it’s unlikely either will escape unscathed.

Trump is already threatening to revoke government support for Musk’s businesses and aides have suggested the billionaire be investigated over his alleged drug use and immigration status.

Meanwhile, Musk is threatening to wield the vast financial resources and influence that helped Mr Trump get elected against the president and the Republican Party.

Six days ago the two men stood side-by-side in the Oval Office singing each other’s praises. Musk promised to remain a friend and adviser to the President who lauded the DOGE architect’s service to the country as being “without comparison in modern history”.

What a difference a week can make in politics.

Originally published as Bromance exploded: Why Donald Trump and Elon Musk have turned on each other