Between Elon Musk, the richest man on the planet, and Donald Trump, president of the world’s leading power, clashes, flip-flops and betrayals of all kinds do not date from yesterday. Here, in quotes, some turning points of their tumultuous relationship.
November 4, 2016
Elon Musk: “I am a little more convinced that he is probably not the right person. He does not seem to have the kind of character that gives a good image of the United States. »»
February 2, 2017
Elon Musk: “In December, I agreed to join the presidential advisory committee in order to give my opinion on the questions that seem important to me. »»
1er June 2017
Elon Musk: “I leave the presidential advisory committee. Climate change is real. Leaving the Paris Agreement is not good for America or the world. »»
January 22, 2020
Donald Trump: “(Elon Musk) is one of our big geniuses and we have to protect our geniuses (…) He will build a very large factory in the United States. He must do it. Because we help him, he must help us. »»
May 28, 2020
Donald Trump: “I would like to thank Elon, who is a longtime friend and for whom I have a lot of respect. »»
Photo Odd Andersen, Archives Agency France-Presse
Elon Musk visiting a Tesla factory in Germany, in 2020
May 10, 2022
Elon Musk: “It was not good to banish Donald Trump (Twitter), I think it was a mistake (…) I would cancel this permanent ban. »»
May 17, 2022
Elon Musk: “Historically, I voted in the vast majority for Democrats. I am not sure, I may never vote for a republican, to be clear. Now, during this election, I will do it. »»
July 10, 2022
Donald Trump: “(Musk) said the other day:” Oh, I have never voted for a republican. ” I didn’t know it. He told me that he had voted for me. So he’s another baratinener (Bullshit Artist). »»
July 11, 2022
Elon Musk: “I don’t hate man, but it’s time for Trump to hang up his hat and sail towards sunset. Trump is said to be 82 at the end of his mandate, which is too old to be the executive chief of anything, and even less from the United States of America. »»
July 12, 2022
Donald Trump: “When Elon Musk came to the White House ask me for help for all his many subsidized projects (…) I could have said” Put yourself on your knees and beg “, and he would have done it …”
October 28, 2022
Donald Trump: “I am very happy that Twitter is now in healthy hands, and that it is no longer led by crazy and maniacs of the radical left that really hate our country. »»
September 27, 2023
Elon Musk: “We need a wall and we have to demand people that they provide a semblance of evidence to ask for asylum in order to enter. »»
Photo Jim Watson, Agence France-Presse Archives
Elon Musk alongside Donald Trump in the 2024 American presidential campaign
October 5, 2024
Elon Musk: “Trump must win to preserve the Constitution. He must win to preserve democracy in America. »»
November 12, 2024
Donald Trump: I am pleased to announce that the Grand Elon Musk, in collaboration with the American patriot Vivek Ramaswamy, will lead the Ministry of Government efficiency (“Doge”). Together, these two wonderful Americans will open the way to my administration to dismantle the government bureaucracy (…).
February 2, 2025
Elon Musk: The DOGE works 120 hours a week. Our bureaucratic opponents work, in an optimistic way, 40 hours per week. This is why they are losing so quickly.
March 11, 2025
Donald Trump: “I’m going to buy a brand new Tesla tomorrow morning as a sign of confidence and support for Elon Musk, a great American. »»
Photo Kevin Lamarque, Reuters archives
Elon Musk and President Donald Trump in the Oval Office in February 2025
May 27, 2025
Elon Musk: “I think I probably spent a little too much time on politics (…) I have considerably reduced this in recent weeks. »»
June 3, 2025
Elon Musk: “I’m sorry, but I can’t take it anymore. This massive and scandalous Congress expenditure bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted in his favor. »»
June 5, 2025
Elon Musk: “It’s time to let go of the big bomb. @realdonaldtrump is in Epstein files. This is the real reason why they were not made public. Good day, DJT! »»
June 5, 2025
Donald Trump: “The simplest way to save money in our budget, billions and billions of dollars, is to end the subsidies and government contracts in Elon. »»
Photo Alex Brandon, Associated Press Archives
US President Donald Trump
June 5, 2025
Donald Trump: “I deleted his bill on electric vehicles which forced everyone to buy electric cars that no one wanted (…), and he became completely crazy! »»
June 11, 2025
Elon Musk: “I regret some of my publications on the president @realdonaldtrump last week. They went too far. »»
June 28, 2025
Elon Musk: “The last Senate bill will destroy millions of jobs in America and will cause immense strategic damage to our country! This bill is completely insane and destructive. »»
1er July 2025
Donald Trump: “Elon may receive more subsidies than any human being in history, and without subsidies, Elon should probably close shop and return home to South Africa. »»
1er July 2025
Donald Trump: “We will have to examine that (the expulsion of Elon Musk). Perhaps we will have to put the Doge on the case of Elon. »»
Sources: X, Truth Social, Bloomberg, Business Insider,, Financial TimesArs Technica, CNBC, The American Presidency Project
