The association between former President Donald Trump and business tycoon Elon Musk has been a multifaceted and evolving affair, marked by initial disagreements and eventual collaboration.

Their notable first interaction transpired in early 2020, when Musk visited Trump at the White House to discuss expansion plans for Tesla. Musk was pondering over the idea of a Tesla gigafactory in Mexico, a proposition that didn’t sit well with Trump, who favored the factory to be based in the U.S to boost local manufacturing. The meeting was filled with tension.

Reports suggest that prior to the meeting, within the White House, Musk privately referred to Trump as a “(bleeping) moron”.

While discussing in the Oval Office, Musk allegedly compared the presidential residence unfavorably to palaces he had seen in China, stating that the White House looked like an “outhouse” in comparison.

Trump, according to reports, was left seething in silence after Musk’s comment, while his aides remained silent.

Furthermore, the meeting exposed a gap in comprehension when Trump stated he owned two Teslas but seemed unfamiliar with the company’s supercharging network, leading to Musk and a colleague having to explain the technology to him.

Musk’s involvement with the Trump administration started earlier, in 2017, when he was part of three advisory councils: the Manufacturing Jobs Initiative, the Strategic and Policy Forum, and an infrastructure advisory group. Musk resigned from these roles after Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, stating, “Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world.”

The rapport between Trump and Musk faced more challenges. In July 2022, at a rally in Alaska, Trump labeled Musk “another bs— artist,” criticizing Musk’s views on political support and his impending acquisition of Twitter. Musk responded on X on July 11, suggesting Trump should “hang up his hat & sail into the sunset.”

However, the dynamics between the two underwent a considerable change during the 2024 presidential election cycle. After an attempted assassination on Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Musk publicly endorsed Trump’s candidacy. Reports suggest that Musk pledged close to $45 million monthly to a pro-Trump super PAC, and his total contributions to such groups amounted to over $270 million, making him one of the largest individual donors in the 2024 election cycle. This marked a significant shift in their relationship from mutual skepticism to a strategic alliance.

Following Trump’s re-election, Musk’s role within the administration expanded. He was tasked with leading the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency, aiming to identify and eliminate unnecessary spending within federal agencies. This role, although unofficial, positions Musk at the helm of government efficiency efforts, reflecting a marked evolution from their initial contentious encounters to a partnership based on shared goals. Musk underscored the urgency of his mission, warning that without his measures, the United States risked bankruptcy. He set an ambitious goal to reduce the deficit by $1 trillion by 2026.

The collaboration between Trump and Musk also extended to government projects. With the Air Force One project facing delays and cost overruns, Trump sought Musk’s assistance to expedite the construction and retrofitting of new presidential aircraft. Initially a $3.9 billion deal in 2018, the project experienced additional costs of over $2 billion and delays extending to at least 2027. Musk’s involvement aimed to streamline the process and address these issues.

Nonetheless, Musk’s growing influence has not been devoid of controversy. His dual role as a government advisor and a businessman holding significant federal contracts has raised questions of potential conflicts of interest. Critics argue that Musk’s involvement in government projects, while simultaneously leading companies that benefit from federal funding, blurs the line between public service and private profit. Despite these concerns, both Trump and Musk have publicly expressed mutual respect and a commitment to continue their collaboration.

As of February 2025, the alliance between Trump and Musk continues to be a significant feature of the current administration, influencing a variety of policies from technological innovation to fiscal management. Their partnership exemplifies the intricate interplay between political leadership and private enterprise in shaping national agendas.