Trump and Musk break up, and Washington holds his breath

Washington (AP) – Maybe it would always end in this way, with two billionaires who are angry with each other on social networks, fingers flying on pocket screens while their incandescent quau burned warmer in the minute.

But even if the final was predictable, that made it less shocking. After long months when Donald Trump And Elon Musk appeared united in their chaotic mission to redo Washington, Their implosed relationship This week like a star that goes supernova.

It started with Musk complain About the centerpiece of Trump’s legislative program, which the president first took the stride. In the end, Trump let slip that he was disappointed His former advisorMusk encouraging a flood of insults and taunts.

He accused Trump of betraying the promises of reducing federal spending, shared a suggestion that the president should be charged and claimed without evidence that the government concealed information on his association with the famous pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Perhaps more viciously, Musk insisted that Trump would not have won last year’s elections without his help.

Trump, not one not to fight, could no longer hold back. He posted that Musk had “worn”, that he had “asked to leave” his administration, that Tech Titan had “gone mad”.

Perhaps Trump threatened, he should save taxpayers money by canceling government contracts and subsidies for Musk companies.

Bad blood with high issues

In any case, he wentWhile the Liberals savor the spectacle of their most despised political opponents who climbed the digital gorges and the conservatives of the other wrapped the prospect of having to choose the sides. Laura LoomerA right -wing provocative and conspiracy theorist, has seen the opportunity to position himself as the voice of reason.

“This fight should be released,” she said-on social networks, of course.

The question is now whether Trump and Musk find a way to step back from a battle that tears up one of the most consecutive relationships of modern American politics. If they do not do so, there is little to say how far the benefits could spread from a collision between the most powerful man in the world and the richest.

At stake are The future of musk companiesIncluding the Tesla electric car manufacturer and the SpaceX rocket manufacturer; government programs which are based on the technology of the billionaire entrepreneur; Legislation to advance tax reductions and Trump’s other priorities at Congress; Republican chances in Next year’s mid-term elections; And an entire political ecosystem that has orbited around the Damage partnership of Trump and Musk.

“It is like India and Pakistan,” said Republican representative Ryan Zinke of Montana, referring to two nuclear nations that recently sang along their border. “It just degenerates and none of them seems to go back and understand the strength of each other.”

The opposites attracted (for a time)

Trump and Musk have always been a strange twinning, with contrasting world visions and deep generational and stylistic differences.

Trump, 78, comes from New York’s former real estate and never appears in public without costume and tie unless he is on the golf course. Before running to the presidency, he became a familiar name as a reality TV star.

Musk, 53, is an immigrant from South Africa who struck him rich in Silicon Valley. In addition to directing Tesla and SpaceX, Musk has the social media company X. He was in the form of an internet edgelord dressed in black, and his wealth largely exceeds that of Trump.

But Trump and Musk are related minds in other respects. They are experts in the generation of attention who like to stir the pot by deriving their opponents. Everyone looked for more power to accomplish existential quests. Trump assailed the federal “deep state” which resisted him during his first mandate, while Musk warns against the country in bankruptcy of excessive spending and promotes a future interplanetary powered by his rocket technology.

Musk approved Trump after the Republican candidate was almost murdered in Butler, Pennsylvania, and he started spending millions to support him. His social media megaphone was a powerful addition to Trump’s return campaign, magnifying his efforts to court the technology leaders and young men very online.

Trump rarely tolerates the sharing of the spotlights, but he seemed to be in love with his powerful fundaler, mentioning him in stacks of stump and welcoming him on stage during the gatherings.

After the elections, Musk was a must around Mar-A-Lago, posing for photos with Trump’s family, joining them for dinner, seated during the meetings. Instead of getting bored of his “first friend”, Trump has planned to bring Musk to Washington, appointing him to lead a cost reduction initiative known as the Government Ministry of Efficiency.

The cracks emerge

Musk tried to settle as The omniscient and omnipresent advisor of the president. He held the court during meetings of the cabinet, slept in Lincoln’s room and helped with caramel ice cream of the White House kitchen.

The federal bureaucracy practically trembled in front of Musk, who supervised layoffs and reduced his team of acolytes and engineers integrated into various agencies.

Musk seemed to be delighted with his opportunity to tinker with the government and was exulted in his Bromance with Trump, displaying on February 7 that he loved the president “as much as a hetero man can love another man”.

Trump made the favor on March 11, allowing Musk to align Tesla vehicles on the Alley of the White House while his business struggled with the fall in sales. Trump demonstrated to choose a Cherry red electric car for himself.

But cracks were emerging, especially since Trump continued prices that could increase costs for Musk companies. Musk said Peter Navarro, the president’s sales advisor, was “really a moron” and “dumber that a brick bag” on April 8.

The billionaire entrepreneur, who had never worked before in the public service, seemed to be embittered in government. He suggested that there was not enough political will, nor at the Congress or in the White House, to adequately reduce expenses.

Trump began to point out that it was It’s time for him to leave Even if Musk said he would be willing to stay.

Shortly before announcing his departure, Musk declared that he was “disappointed” by the law that Trump called the “major bill on law Increase the deficit. The measure includes tax reductions, more money for border safety and Medicaid changes that would leave fewer people with health insurance.

“I think that a bill can be great or that it could be beautiful,” said Musk. “But I don’t know if it could be both.”

The criticism did not prevent Trump from giving Musk a sending to the oval office, where he presented his outgoing advisor a ceremonial key.

“Elon really doesn’t leave,” said Trump. “He will be two directions.”

Musk said: “I will continue to visit here and be a friend and advisor to the president.”

Implosion arrives hard and fast

It is difficult to imagine this now.

Musk intensified his attacks against legislation on Tuesday, calling him a “disgusting abomination”, and Trump tried to repel criticism.

“He did not say any harm on me personally, but I am sure it will be the next one,” said the president on Thursday in the oval office at a meeting with the German Chancellor.

It was.

Musk quickly went to X to evacuate his anger against Trump, saying that his prices “will provoke a recession in the second half of this year” and accuse him of lying. He also said that it was “very unfair” that legislation would eliminate tax incentives for electric vehicles.

Trump retaliated in real time as he tried to maintain the momentum for his legislation, which faces A difficult debate in the Senate.

“I don’t mind that Elon turns against me, but he should have done it months ago,” posted the president. “It is one of the greatest bills ever presented in the congress.”

Meanwhile, some Trump’s allies plotted revenge.

Steve Bannon, a former Trump advisor who organizes an influential conservative podcast, said the president should order the US government to seize SpaceX. He also encouraged Trump to investigate allegations that Musk consumes drugs and “browse everything about his immigration status” in preparation for a potential expulsion.

“We will see how Elon Musk is undergoing a little of this pressure,” said Bannon, “because I think that a little pressure could happen.”

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The editors of the Associated Press Tom Beaumont, Kevin Freking and Michelle L. Price contributed to this report.