Elon Musk made waves online Thursday by claiming President Trump would not have won re-election in 2024 without his help a bold statement that comes amid a growing rift between the two high-profile figures.
“If it weren’t for me, Trump would’ve lost. Democrats would control the House, and the Senate would be 51-49 in their favor,” Musk posted on X, his social media platform. He ended the message with a sharp jab: “Such ingratitude.”
Musk, who invested millions into Trump’s 2024 campaign and appeared with him at key rallies during the final stretch, was widely seen as a powerful force in the Republican resurgence. Following the election, Musk was tapped to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, where he worked to slash spending and reform bureaucracy. He officially left his post as a special government employee last Friday.
His remarks followed a string of social media posts criticizing Trump’s sweeping legislative proposal the so-called “One Big, Beautiful Bill” which Musk says undermines the very principles he joined the administration to uphold. The Tesla CEO urged lawmakers to reject the measure and reposted Trump’s own past calls for fiscal discipline and balanced budgets, highlighting what Musk sees as hypocrisy in the current proposal.
Trump responded during a meeting in the Oval Office, expressing shock at the sudden fallout. “I’ve always had a good relationship with Elon,” the president said. “So yes, I was surprised and disappointed. He hasn’t said anything personal against me, but he’s been very vocal about the bill. I’d prefer criticism of me, not the bill, because the bill is outstanding.”
The unexpected feud has sparked widespread speculation about the future of their political alliance. With Musk now openly challenging a central piece of Trump’s legislative agenda, their once-close partnership appears to be entering uncertain territory just as the president gears up for more legislative battles in a sharply divided Congress.
This dramatic shift in tone from Musk adds fuel to the debate over Republican priorities, federal spending, and loyalty among the party’s most influential voices all while drawing millions of views online and reshaping the conversation ahead of the 2026 midterms.