Elon Musk, the outspoken tech billionaire, risks a falling-out with US President Donald Trump.
Trump had previously overlooked Musk’s eccentricities, including his signature arm gestures, but tensions are rising following Musk’s direct criticism of Trump’s recently announced $500 billion “Stargate” AI initiative.
Musk Criticizes Trump’s Vision
Musk openly questioned the feasibility of the “Stargate” project, claiming it lacks the financial resources to succeed.
“They don’t actually have the money,” Musk remarked in response to an OpenAI statement shared on X. He added that Japan’s SoftBank had only contributed $10 billion to the investment pool—far short of what’s needed for such a massive undertaking.
Altman at the Center of Musk’s Frustration
Musk’s criticisms stem in part from his longstanding feud with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Once collaborators and co-founders of OpenAI, the two had a public falling-out. Altman’s presence alongside Trump at the White House on Tuesday—flanked by Oracle founder Larry Ellison and SoftBank investor Masayoshi Son—only added fuel to the fire.
Musk’s public rebuke of Altman and, indirectly, Trump, may strain his relationship with the president. Once seen as “America’s top allies,” their bond now appears to be cracking.
Backlash from Trump’s Base
Musk’s comments could alienate Trump’s MAGA supporters, many of whom view him as a “globalist” out of step with Trump’s America-First agenda. Reports suggest former Trump adviser Steve Bannon is already working to distance Musk from Trump’s inner circle.
Whether the alliance between Musk and Trump survives this controversy remains uncertain, but the clash marks a significant turning point in their relationship.
