Rumors of a rift between Donald Trump and Elon Musk have been making the rounds for weeks, but recent developments—or rather, conspicuous silences—have turned up the volume on those whispers.
Once a seemingly inseparable duo, their relationship was characterized by a steady stream of public praise and mutual admiration. Now, however, an unsettling hush has settled in.
Is this just the calm before another strategic move in their political chess game, or does it hint at a deeper fracture between two of the most polarizing figures on the global stage?
For context, the 53-year-old Tesla CEO has reportedly invested around $300 million to support Trump’s 2024 reelection bid against Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.
Trump, known for his fiery rhetoric and populist appeal, had often thrown his weight behind Musk’s ventures—Tesla in particular—and even appointed him as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a position that notably never received Senate confirmation.
The bond between them seemed unshakeable, with both men frequently name-dropping each other on social media.
But recently, an abrupt change has been noted, one that’s left political insiders and fans scratching their heads. Trump, who once mentioned Musk nearly every other day on his Truth Social account, has gone completely silent on his supposed ally.
A detailed Politico analysis revealed that during February and March, Trump referenced Musk—often hailed as ‘President Musk’ thanks to his close ties to the Trump administration—at least four times per week. That period also saw Musk and the DOGE implement sweeping staff reductions and the closure of multiple government departments.
Yet since early April, Trump has not uttered a word about Musk. And it’s not just Trump. Musk himself, who used to pepper his X account with pro-Trump posts nearly daily, has also fallen silent about his political partner.
Musk’s star power in the polls has waned, and he appears to have retreated from his once-prominent political role. This comes on the heels of his high-profile missteps in Wisconsin, where he attempted to win over voters but ended up facing ridicule instead.
“He’s toast,” one anonymous Republican insider told Politico. “His numbers are in the tank. People think he’s a joke. He tried to charm Wisconsin with his cheese hat stunt, but it backfired big time. Nobody’s buying it anymore.”
Politico also reported that not only the White House’s official channels but also Trump’s closest advisers have stopped referring to Musk in any capacity.
Adding fuel to the speculation, recent reports claim that Trump allegedly told his cabinet that Musk would soon be ousted from his DOGE position—a claim Musk flatly denied, calling it “nonsense.”
In a recent twist, Musk signaled he might be scaling back his involvement in right-leaning politics. During an interview with Bloomberg at the Qatar Economic Forum on Tuesday, May 20, the father of 13 addressed his future political contributions, saying, “I think, in terms of political spending, I’m going to do a lot less in the future.”
When pressed for a reason by journalist Mishal Husain, Musk gave a concise reply: “I think I’ve done enough.”
Asked if political fallout played a role in his decision, Musk sidestepped, saying, “If I see a reason to spend politically in the future, I will. I don’t currently see a reason.”
This statement sent shockwaves through social media, with many interpreting it as confirmation of an increasingly strained relationship with Trump.
One social media user commented, “Wow, this split is even messier than I imagined. Good riddance.”
“Some think it’s a breakup, others call it a learning experience,” another user remarked.
A third chimed in, “Trump wrecks everything he touches. But this? I’m fine with it.”
“He looks different—like he’s carrying the weight of the world,” observed one commenter. “Has Trump abandoned him too?”
The silence between Donald Trump and Elon Musk suggests a significant cooling of their once-warm alliance. As Musk retreats from the political spotlight and Trump’s public endorsements vanish, the rumor mill churns faster than ever. Whether this is the end of their partnership or just a temporary pause remains to be seen. One thing, however, is clear: the dynamics between these two influential titans are shifting—and the world is waiting to see what unfolds next.