Donald Trump and Elon Musk may be heading towards a breakup, and it’s not the kind of breakup anyone saw coming. You see, even before officially reclaiming the Oval Office, the president had to deal with whispers that Elon had more influence over his presidency than anyone else.
If they split next year, the fate of their ambitious project, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), will be thrown into chaos.
"Let’s be clear about one thing," Trump reportedly said on stage in Phoenix at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest conference. "No, he’s not going to be president, I can tell you that. And I’m safe. Do you know why he can’t? He wasn’t born in this country."
The crowd celebrated, chanting Trump’s name as smoke and fireworks lit up the stage. Trump stood in his signature red tie, basking in the attention.
Tensions rise as Elon overshadows Trump.
The partnership between the billionaire tech mogul and the president began with grand promises but now looks like a ticking time bomb.
Elon doesn't really mind changing everything. Just last week, he helped break a budgetary emergency measure in Congress, an act that caused a stir in public opinion and angered Democrats and even some Republicans.
Elon's unpredictable nature, combined with his increasing political influence, has started to irritate Trump. Insiders say Trump has grown tired of Elon’s rising reputation and dislikes the shadow it casts over his administration.
Cracks started to appear when Elon’s involvement with DOGE began to attract more attention, especially as he sought to cut funding for organizations like the IRS and the Federal Reserve.
The mission of DOGE is to cut up to $2 trillion in wasteful spending by eliminating bloated agencies and removing useless regulations. Elon and Vivek Ramaswamy were personally selected by Trump to lead it, but Elon’s allure is overshadowing the president in ways he clearly does not like.
"He’s not running the country. Never has," Trump declared, dismissing rumors that Elon might even want to run. "The Constitution states you have to be born here. He wasn’t. End of story."
What will happen to DOGE without Elon?
First of all, DOGE does not have official approval from Congress, which means it operates more like a senior advisory group rather than a real federal department.
The goal of saving $2 trillion by July 4, 2026 - the 250th anniversary of American independence - sounds great in theory, but without Elon’s leadership, the chances of achieving this goal will diminish significantly.
His reputation for innovation and the ability to disrupt entire industries are qualities this project relies on. Losing him would strip DOGE of its strongest asset. Vivek, while a capable entrepreneur, does not have the same allure.
The U.S. federal budget is $6.5 trillion annually, and Trump’s administration promised to save a lot by scrutinizing every expenditure. Critics have pointed out that such cuts could lead to layoffs, disrupt public services, and create chaos in government operations.
Without Elon, even those fragile plans could completely collapse. But the fallout from the rift between Trump and Elon will extend far beyond DOGE. Trump supporters have viewed Elon as part of the team, seeing their partnership as a powerful alliance against the entrenched bureaucratic machine of Washington.
If Elon leaves, some Trump supporters (especially tech-savvy young people and wealthy donors who admire Elon’s vision) may follow him out the door. On the other hand, severing ties with Elon could help Trump regain control of his own narrative.
But the risks are real. The Republican Party has shown signs of internal division. House Republicans are increasingly appearing defiant, with some openly ignoring Trump’s directives.
Losing Elon could blow these factions apart, making it even harder for Trump to maintain control of the party and push his agenda. It could also open the door for new GOP leaders who are less tied to Trump’s populist style and lean towards older conservative values.
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