World watches as Trump and Musk turn from allies to adversaries

The rift between US President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk has deepened, as both influential figures exchange sharp criticism and serious allegations.

The fallout reportedly began when Elon Musk, who had previously served in an advisory role, resigned without notifying President Trump. The situation intensified after Musk publicly criticised Trump’s tax reform and federal spending plans.

What once appeared to be a cordial relationship has now transformed into open hostility, with both parties trading personal and political blows.

Musk has alleged that President Trump's name appears in documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender, who was arrested in July 2019 and took his own during the trial.

Epstein was known for hosting influential global figures at private gatherings, some of which allegedly involved underage victims.

“Time to drop the really big bomb: Trump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public,” Musk posted on X.

Read: Elon Musk exits Trump administration after disagreement over ‘big, beautiful bill’

According to the BBC, the allegations involving Trump in the Epstein files are not new, as the documents containing his name have already been made public.

In response, President Trump expressed his disappointment with Musk's opposition to a key tax and spending bill under consideration in Congress. During a televised address from the Oval Office, Trump even threatened to revoke billions of dollars in federal contracts awarded to Musk’s companies.

Musk quickly hit back, claiming he played a pivotal role in Trump’s electoral success. “Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate,” Musk stated.

Trump, in turn, claimed it was his own decision to remove Musk from his advisory role and suggested that the billionaire was “losing control.” In a recent post, the president also accused Musk of drug use though no evidence was provided, and stated he was unbothered by the tech mogul’s growing criticism.

In another development, Trump withdrew his earlier nomination of Jared Isaacman, reportedly recommended by Musk, to head NASA.

Adding fuel to the fire, Musk polled his followers on X, asking whether he should launch a new political party, further signaling a potential shift in his political ambitions.

As the feud between the former allies escalates, its impact on US politics and the tech world remains to be seen.