Trump and Musk’s Alliance: How Long Will It Last? \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ In a high-profile Fox News interview, President Donald Trump and Elon Musk showcased their mutual admiration, insisting their partnership is strong despite media speculation. Musk, now leading the Department of Government Efficiency, is helping Trump slash federal bureaucracy, while his businesses stand to benefit from regulatory rollbacks. Though they insist their alliance will last, Trump’s history suggests otherwise, as past allies often become rivals.
Trump and Musk’s Political Alliance: Quick Look
- Trump and Musk dismissed speculation that their partnership is unstable, with Trump stating, “They want to drive us apart.”
- Musk, once a Biden supporter, is now a top Trump ally, helping him lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
- Musk’s influence in the administration allows him to push aggressive government downsizing, fulfilling Trump’s “deep state” purge promise.
- Tesla and SpaceX stand to benefit from Trump’s regulatory rollbacks and reduced federal scrutiny.
- Critics warn of conflicts of interest, but Musk insists he has “never asked Trump for anything.”
- Trump’s alliances often fall apart, raising questions about how long this partnership will last.
- For now, they seem genuinely fond of each other, with Musk declaring, “I love the president.”
Deep Look
For weeks, one of the biggest political questions in Washington has been: How long can Donald Trump and Elon Musk share the spotlight?
Both men are billionaires, global icons, and figures who crave attention—but now they are also political partners. In a highly publicized Fox News interview, Trump and Musk dismissed speculation of a rift, presenting a united front despite past clashes.
Trump insisted that media forces were trying to “drive us apart”, while Musk—now leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—reaffirmed his commitment to helping Trump dismantle federal bureaucracy.
But while their partnership seems mutually beneficial for now, history suggests that Trump’s closest allies often become his fiercest critics. The question isn’t just how long their alliance will last—but how it might unravel.
From Rivals to Political Partners: The Trump-Musk Relationship
Trump and Musk haven’t always been allies.
During Trump’s first term, Musk publicly criticized his administration’s handling of climate change and electric vehicle policies. They clashed on issues like SpaceX funding and federal subsidies, with Trump dismissing Musk’s businesses as “electric cars that don’t drive long enough, driverless cars that crash, or rocket ships to nowhere.”
Their feud escalated in 2022, when Trump called Musk a “bulls—- artist”, claiming Musk begged for federal subsidies. Musk, in turn, backed Ron DeSantis in the 2024 GOP primary, even hosting his campaign launch on X (formerly Twitter).
Yet, by 2023, Musk’s political views had shifted dramatically. After becoming a vocal critic of Democrats, California regulations, and Biden’s pro-union policies, Musk met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago and endorsed him after the first assassination attempt in July 2024.
Since then, Musk has gone all in on Trump’s campaign, donating hundreds of millions through his super PAC and using X to amplify Trump’s messaging—including misinformation that boosts his MAGA movement.
Why the Trump-Musk Alliance Works—for Now
Their relationship is mutually beneficial in ways that go beyond politics.
1. Musk Helps Trump Deliver on His “Deep State” Promise
Trump has empowered Musk to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the administration’s flagship effort to shrink federal bureaucracy.
- Under Musk’s direction, DOGE has already fired thousands of federal workers and eliminated multiple government agencies.
- Musk has pushed for drastic cuts to regulatory agencies, including those overseeing environmental policies, labor laws, and tech regulations.
- He has framed these moves as an effort to “restore democracy and the will of the people”, calling federal agencies “a vast bureaucracy that is implacably opposed to the president.”
Trump benefits politically by keeping a high-profile ally at the forefront of his government-reduction plan, which appeals to his conservative base.
2. Trump’s Administration Can Protect Musk’s Business Interests
Musk’s companies—including Tesla, SpaceX, and Starlink—rely on lucrative government contracts with NASA, the Defense Department, and other agencies.
- Tesla is under federal scrutiny over crash investigations related to its self-driving technology.
- SpaceX has national security contracts that could be jeopardized by stricter government oversight.
- The Justice Department has been investigating Musk and Tesla for allegedly misrepresenting self-driving capabilities.
With Trump in the White House, those investigations could be quietly dropped, and Musk’s companies could receive even more federal funding.
Though Musk insists, “I haven’t asked the president for anything, ever,” critics argue that his government role gives him direct influence over contracts that benefit his businesses.
Will Trump and Musk’s Alliance Last? History Suggests Trouble Ahead
Despite their current affection for each other, Trump has a long history of turning against his allies.
- Mike Pence, his loyal vice president, became a sworn enemy after refusing to overturn the 2020 election results.
- Bill Barr, once his attorney general, was publicly mocked by Trump after rejecting claims of voter fraud.
- Michael Cohen, his longtime personal lawyer, later testified against him in court.
- John Kelly, Mark Meadows, and other top officials went from Trump insiders to vocal critics after falling out of favor.
Trump’s pattern is clear: He doesn’t like being overshadowed.
Even in their Fox News interview, Trump seemed uneasy when Musk received excessive praise. When asked about Musk’s recent Time magazine cover, Trump sarcastically asked, “Is Time still in business?”
With Musk’s massive public influence and growing political role, it’s only a matter of time before Trump starts feeling threatened by his presence.
For Now, the Partnership is Strong
Despite speculation about potential conflict, the interview made one thing clear: Trump and Musk genuinely like each other—for now.
Trump praised Musk as “an amazing person”, while Musk responded, “I love the president.”
They attended a Saudi-backed investment summit together, where Trump asked the crowd to applaud Musk, calling him a “seriously high IQ individual”—before joking, “He has his faults too, but not too many.”
What’s Next for Trump and Musk?
For now, Musk and Trump’s partnership is one of the strongest in Washington.
- Musk is pushing Trump’s anti-bureaucracy agenda, making him one of the most powerful figures in the administration.
- Trump’s administration is positioned to help Musk’s businesses, potentially eliminating regulatory challenges that could slow them down.
- Musk’s social media empire is shaping political discourse, giving Trump a valuable platform to spread his message.
But history suggests that no Trump alliance is permanent. If Musk gains too much influence or outshines the president, he may find himself on Trump’s list of discarded allies—just like so many before him.
For now, though, their relationship is thriving, fueled by mutual ambition, political power, and the need to reshape the government in their image.
The real question isn’t if the alliance will break—but when and how.
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