"Power rarely fractures quietly. What began as a headline-grabbing alliance between Elon Musk and Donald Trump has turned into a full-scale political rupture—with real consequences. This exclusive Readovia feature unpacks how two of the most powerful men in America went from partners to public enemies—and what it means for the future of the GOP."
It started as a billionaire bromance. Now it’s a full-blown political divorce—with the future of the Republican Party hanging in the balance.
Elon Musk changed his phone number. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson says no one in the Trump administration can reach him. And just weeks ago, Musk was co-leading a White House task force and publicly praising President Trump’s “visionary leadership.”
Now? He’s calling Trump a fraud, threatening to gut Republican midterms with a new third party, and implying the president’s name appears in Jeffrey Epstein’s files.
This isn’t just a falling out between two powerful men—it’s a rapidly escalating political rift that could split the Republican base in half ahead of the 2026 midterms. Welcome to America’s most dramatic breakup of the year.
The Power Couple Phase
The Trump-Musk relationship began with power and money. During Trump’s 2024 campaign, Musk quietly funneled over $277 million into conservative super PACs backing the Republican ticket. He also used his vast social media reach and behind-the-scenes lobbying to boost Trump’s narrative on everything from AI to anti-regulation.
In January 2025, Musk took a formal role in the new administration, co-chairing the White House’s freshly formed Department of Government Efficiency—unironically abbreviated as DOGE. His mission? Slash spending, shake up legacy departments, and make good on Trump’s promise to “drain the swamp 2.0.”
Trump called him “one of the smartest men alive.”
The Big Blowup
On June 5, everything changed.
That morning, Musk went scorched-earth on the president’s much-hyped tax-and-spending plan—what Trump dubbed the “Big, Beautiful Bill.” Musk called it a “disgusting abomination,” slamming the budget for bloating the deficit and funneling funds to what he called “zombie departments.”
Then he did what he does best: opened up the floodgates on X.
“Should we start a new party? One that puts you in charge? Yes or no.”
— Elon Musk, June 5, 10:47 AM
The poll racked up more than 1.2 million votes in 24 hours. Over 65% said yes.
And then came the nuclear tweet: a vague but unmistakable suggestion that Trump’s name appears in sealed Epstein court documents. Musk didn’t elaborate—but he didn’t walk it back either.
By the end of the day, Trump’s response was furious and immediate. He called Musk “off the rails,” accused him of betrayal, and suggested revoking federal subsidies for Tesla and SpaceX. Insiders say Musk’s companies could lose billions if contracts are pulled.
Fallout in Real Time
Since the initial blast, the feud has only escalated.
Musk began calling Trump’s bill the “Big Ugly,” a deliberate taunt. Trump called Musk a “train wreck.” And in a final act of digital defiance, Musk changed his phone number—cutting off all direct contact with Trump, according to House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Meanwhile, Musk officially launched what he’s now calling the “America Party”, pledging to fund a slate of anti-establishment candidates for 2026. He’s already hired staff and claims thousands have signed up to help.
Why This Matters: Impact & Consequences
This isn’t just another tech mogul tantrum. The stakes are real—and rising.
Consequences: Trump could revoke EV credits and federal contracts. Stock volatility has already begun.
Consequences: America Party could siphon off 7–10% of GOP votes, tipping control of Congress.
Consequences: Musk’s new "America Party" movement could energize younger, libertarian-leaning voters—but at a cost to existing party margins.
Consequences: Musk’s Epstein allegation, whether substantiated or not, has fueled new MAGA infighting and media scrutiny
The Author
Ellis Grant
Staff Writer, Readovia
