Winning Bizness Desk
Mumbai. Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s political camaraderie blossomed during the 2024 US elections, with Musk reportedly spending $250–300 million to back Trump’s campaign. Post-election, Trump appointed Musk as head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), lauding him as a visionary. Their bond was public and strong, with appearances together and shared praises. But it all fell apart on June 5, 2025, when Musk criticized Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” claiming it would inflate national debt by $2.4 trillion. In retaliation, Trump publicly expressed disappointment and accused Musk of being upset due to reduced EV subsidies affecting Tesla. The feud intensified with personal attacks on social media, including Epstein-related accusations and threats to cancel government contracts. Eventually, the dispute cooled down following behind-the-scenes talks.
Controversy over Nazi-style salute
On January 20, 2025, during a Trump-hosted event in Washington, Musk was filmed raising one arm, which many interpreted as a Nazi salute—an act that is illegal in countries like Germany. The gesture ignited global outrage, especially after German journalist Lenz Jacobsen condemned it as unmistakably Nazi. Supporters defended Musk, saying it was a harmless wave taken out of context. Musk dismissed the criticism as overblown and politically motivated, writing on X that people are obsessed with politicizing everything. He refused to issue an apology, framing the controversy as media sensationalism.
Sexual harassment allegation resurfaced
In 2022, a former SpaceX flight attendant accused Musk of sexual harassment, alleging that he touched her without consent and asked for sexual favors during a massage session aboard a private jet in 2016. It was reported that SpaceX settled the matter privately in 2018 with a payment of $250,000. Musk strongly denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated and timed to tarnish his image after his support for the Republican party. He argued that if he were truly guilty of misconduct, such accusations would have surfaced earlier in his three-decade career.
Drugs and alcohol during live podcast
On September 6, 2018, Musk appeared on Joe Rogan’s podcast and smoked a marijuana-tobacco joint offered by the host. Though legal in California, the act, coupled with whiskey drinking during the show, led to public backlash. The incident caused Tesla’s stock to drop nearly 10% the next day. Critics labeled the act unprofessional for a public company CEO. NASA later expressed concern, prompting Musk to assure that he would refrain from using substances in public. Despite this, Musk didn’t issue an apology, maintaining that he had done nothing wrong.
Amber Heard relationship triggered backlash
Musk's romantic link with actress Amber Heard, ex-wife of actor Johnny Depp, began in 2016 and became public in 2017. Depp accused Heard of having an affair with Musk while still married, claiming this contributed to their marital breakdown. Musk denied the timeline, asserting he and Heard started dating only after her divorce was finalized. The relationship attracted intense media scrutiny, with Depp’s supporters targeting Heard and accusing Musk of meddling. Musk remained silent after initial comments, while Heard later chose not to speak publicly about the relationship, citing constant judgment.
Key Takeaways
- Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s friendship ended over a policy disagreement in 2025.
- Musk accused Trump of having Epstein links; Trump threatened to cancel contracts.
- Musk’s controversial salute at a Trump event sparked international outrage.
- A 2022 sexual harassment claim against Musk led to a reported $250,000 settlement.
- His marijuana use on a podcast caused Tesla shares to fall sharply in 2018.
- Musk’s relationship with Amber Heard brought him into Johnny Depp’s legal storm.
- Despite controversies, Musk dismissed many incidents as politically motivated.
