Comedian Bill Maher coined a new nickname for the deteriorating relationship between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk during his Friday night show, dubbing the former allies “Elump” as their public feud continues to escalate.
During his opening monologue on “Real Time With Bill Maher” on June 6, 2025, the comedian drew comparisons between the Trump-Musk fallout and other famous celebrity breakups. Maher referenced the nicknames “Brangelina” for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, and “Bennifer” for Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, before introducing his own portmanteau for the embattled political partnership.
The HBO host characterized the conflict as a battle between titans, describing it as similar to “Godzilla versus King Kong — if Godzilla was on ketamine and King Kong had a combover.” Maher noted that the rift had been developing for some time before becoming public this week.
The tension between Trump and Musk centers around disagreements over government spending and fiscal policy. Musk, who spent significant resources helping elect Trump and headed the Department of Government Efficiency, initially entered politics with the stated goal of reducing government waste. However, conflicts arose when the GOP crafted the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which includes nearly $4 trillion in tax cuts and about $900 billion for Trump’s mass deportation initiative.
The feud reached a dramatic peak last Thursday when Musk posted on X, claiming that Trump was “in the Epstein files.” This reference to Jeffrey Epstein, the financier who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, struck at Trump’s past associations. Epstein had moved in the same social circles as Trump during the 1980s and 1990s.
Trump appeared to respond to the accusation by reposting a favorable statement from Epstein’s former lawyer, David Schoen, indicating that Epstein had not implicated Trump in their discussions. Musk subsequently deleted his inflammatory post, but the damage to their relationship appeared irreversible.
Maher described the ongoing conflict as “a war that is going back and forth” and joked that the winner would face Blake Lively, referencing the actress’ recent legal battle with “It Ends With Us” co-star Justin Baldoni that has dominated entertainment news.
The comedian’s commentary reflects the broader political implications of the Trump-Musk split. Musk’s departure from his government position and his public criticism of Republican spending measures signal a significant shift in the political landscape. The billionaire’s initial support for government efficiency measures put him at odds with traditional GOP spending priorities.
This public falling out represents a notable change from the close relationship the two men maintained following the 2024 election. Musk’s financial backing and technological expertise were considered crucial elements of Trump’s campaign success and early administrative plans.
Maher’s show has frequently featured commentary on political relationships and their dissolution. The comedian’s creation of the “Elump” nickname follows his pattern of using pop culture references to explain complex political dynamics to his audience.
The timing of Maher’s comments comes as both Trump and Musk face questions about their future working relationship. Following Musk’s explosive tweets, he apologized to Trump, saying he had gone too far.
The public nature of their dispute, particularly Musk’s use of his own social media platform to criticize Trump, represents an unusual breach in typical political alliance protocols. The reference to the Epstein files adds a particularly sensitive dimension to their conflict, given the ongoing legal and political implications surrounding that case.
Political observers note that the breakdown of the Trump-Musk partnership could have significant implications for both Republican Party dynamics and the broader tech industry’s relationship with government. Musk’s companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, maintain extensive government contracts and regulatory relationships that could be affected by the personal animosity.
The entertainment value of political feuds has long been a staple of late-night television, with comedians like Maher often serving as cultural interpreters of political drama. His “Elump” designation joins a long tradition of celebrity couple names that capture public attention and provide shorthand for complex relationships.
As the situation continues to develop, both political and entertainment media are closely monitoring the fallout from what Maher characterized as the end of one of America’s most controversial political partnerships.
