Timeline: How Trump and Musk’s relationship has unfolded over the years — from feud to alliance, and back again

The alliance between President Trump and Elon Musk deteriorated after Musk’s efforts to undermine a crucial budget bill following his departure from the administration. Initially, Musk expressed skepticism about Trump in 2016 but later engaged closely with the administration before leaving due to climate policy disagreements. Their relationship fluctuated over the years, with Musk endorsing Trump again in 2024 after a campaign rally incident, ultimately using his influence to challenge legislative priorities, marking a dramatic turn in their political alliance.