Trump–Musk Fallout Timeline: From EV Policy to Political Feud
The relationship between President Trump and Elon Musk — once marked by a shared focus on innovation and American industry — has unraveled in recent weeks, triggered by a series of policy moves and public clashes over electric vehicles, clean energy subsidies, and broader budget priorities.
May 02: Budget Sparks Tensions
Trump’s 2026 budget proposal was the first major flashpoint. It outlined sweeping cuts to clean energy programs — including solar, wind, and electric vehicle incentives — while boosting support for fossil fuels and stripping back climate-related infrastructure. Though not yet law, the budget set the tone for Trump’s economic agenda and foreshadowed the upcoming “One, Big, Beautiful Bill.” Industry leaders, particularly in clean tech, quickly raised concerns. Meanwhile, some fiscal conservatives and independent analysts argued that even with deep cuts, the plan fell short of addressing the country’s mounting debt and deficit.
May 22: "One, Big, Beautiful Bill" Passes House
Trump’s signature legislative package — the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” — passed the House, bundling major spending cuts, tax reforms, and deregulatory measures. It included the elimination of the EV mandate and a rapid phaseout of clean energy tax credits. While the bill fulfilled core America First priorities, critics blasted its rushed passage and lack of transparency. Some warned it could undermine clean energy growth, while others questioned whether the cuts were significant enough to meaningfully reduce the deficit — even as the bill’s supporters hailed it as a path to fiscal responsibility.
May 29: Tesla Energy Speaks Out
Tesla Energy issued a public warning via X. The post marked a rare and pointed policy intervention from Tesla, expressing concern that the removal of clean energy tax incentives could jeopardize the rollout of over 60 GW of new capacity each year — vital for AI data centers and U.S. manufacturing growth.
May 30: White House Photo Op Masks Growing Rift
Trump and Musk appeared side by side in a joint press event at the White House. Ostensibly celebrating Musk’s formal exit from DOGE. Musk received a symbolic “key to the White House” while sporting a visible black eye.
June 03: Musk Goes Public Against the Bill
The fallout became personal when Musk directly attacked the legislation. Musk framed his opposition not just around energy issues, but fiscal responsibility — casting the bill as a betrayal of conservative principles and a disaster for the national debt.
June 05: Fallout Escalates Rapidly
Tensions between Trump and Musk came to a head, with both men taking to social media to lay out conflicting accounts of how their fallout began. Trump claimed Musk had long known about plans to eliminate EV mandates and subsidies — and only turned critical after their removal. Musk countered that he was blindsided by the bill’s passage and was never given a chance to review it.
The dispute is layered: while Musk has previously voiced support for a smaller government and deeper spending cuts — positions Trump championed on the campaign trail — he also warned that abruptly ending clean energy support could harm grid stability and domestic industry.
The exchange soon turned personal, with both accusing the other of betrayal, political posturing, and bad faith. What began as a disagreement over policy has now escalated into a high-profile power struggle with broader implications for politics, technology, and America’s energy future.