The bromance is over—Elon Musk and Donald Trump are officially at war.
In a fiery new twist to America’s brewing trade war, Elon Musk has publicly broken ranks with Donald Trump, calling for “zero tariffs” between the U.S. and Europe. The bombshell moment signals a dramatic shift in their once-tight alliance—and it’s shaking up the global political and business stage.
What once looked like a tech-billionaire-meets-president power duo is now unraveling—fast.
“Zero Tariffs”: Musk Goes Rogue
During a high-profile video call with Italy’s far-right League leader Matteo Salvini, Musk made a move that no one saw coming. Speaking during the League’s party congress in Florence, Musk shocked everyone by slamming Trump’s new tariffs and proposing a zero-tariff zone with Europe.
“Ideally, there should be a free trade zone between Europe and North America,” Musk said. “A zero-tariff zone. That’s where we should be heading.”
BOOM. That’s the sound of Elon Musk slamming the door on Trump’s America First economic agenda.
Tariffs Tear the Trump-Musk Relationship Apart
The comments come just days after Trump’s sweeping new tariffs went into effect, hitting global goods with a baseline 10% tax and setting the stage for an all-out trade war. And Musk? He’s had enough.
Once dubbed Trump’s “tech whisperer,” Musk was quietly removed last week from his controversial post as head of the Department of Government Efficiency—a position Trump personally created for him.
Now, with Musk turning on Trump publicly, insiders are calling it the biggest political falling out of the year.
“The honeymoon is over,” said one Washington insider. “And now? We’re in for a brutal breakup.”
Trump Doubles Down as Musk Ditches the Plan
While Musk calls for free trade, Trump is going full steam ahead with his economic war machine.
In an all-caps post on his social platform X (formerly Twitter), Trump wrote:
“THIS IS AN ECONOMIC REVOLUTION, AND WE WILL WIN.”
Tariffs as high as 50% are now targeting countries including Lesotho, Cambodia, and Madagascar. Additional tariff hikes are expected to roll out Wednesday, with Europe, China, and Canada bracing for impact.
But with Musk publicly opposing the plan, cracks are forming in Trump’s inner circle—and fast.
British and French Leaders Sound the Alarm
The fallout from Trump’s tariffs isn’t just an American issue. World leaders are scrambling to respond—and they’re not happy.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron held an emergency call Saturday to discuss Trump’s trade offensive.
“They agreed that a trade war was in nobody’s interest,” said a joint statement. “But nothing is off the table.”
Translation: Don’t poke the global economy.
Musk’s Message: Open Markets, Not Trade Wars
This isn’t the first time Musk has zigged when Trump zagged—but it might be the most aggressive.
Musk’s comments during the Florence broadcast were sharp, calculated, and unmistakable:
“Trade barriers only serve to divide people and slow progress.”
And while Salvini nodded in agreement, political analysts say Musk’s message was meant for an entire continent—and aimed directly at Trump.
Trouble in Paradise: From Allies to Enemies?
Let’s rewind.
For years, Trump and Musk were strange-bedfellows-turned-besties—a populist president and a space-bound billionaire who shared mutual admiration, ambition, and ego.
Trump tapped Musk for government roles. Musk defended Trump in tech circles. They backed each other in battles against “the deep state” and mainstream media.
But now? The gloves are off.
“This is a full-on clash of titans,” says one political analyst. “And it’s about more than tariffs. It’s about power, influence, and who really controls the economic narrative in 2025.”
Will Musk’s Words Influence Policy?
Musk may be out of Trump’s cabinet, but he’s not out of the spotlight.
With over 160 million followers across platforms, he can shift opinion with a single tweet—or, in this case, a single live-streamed speech in Italy.
The question now: Will Trump listen—or retaliate?
Already, rumors are swirling that Trump may look to target Tesla or SpaceX with regulatory probes. Others say Musk is preparing to back an independent “pro-trade” candidate if Trump keeps doubling down.
Wall Street Watches—and Worries
Traders weren’t thrilled by the public feud.
Markets slid slightly on Saturday morning as news broke of Musk’s anti-tariff stance. Tesla shares dipped 2.8%, and other multinational firms tied to European trade followed suit.
“It creates confusion,” said one analyst. “You’ve got the most powerful man in the world and the most influential businessman in a public economic slap-fight. No one knows what’s next.”
What Does This Mean for You?
Short answer: Prices could skyrocket. And this clash just made things even more unpredictable.
Here’s how the Elon Musk Trump tariff clash could hit your wallet:
- ? Electronics: Higher prices on smartphones, laptops, and gadgets made in Europe
- ? Groceries: Imported wines, cheeses, and meats could soar in price
- ? Cars: Luxury car brands like BMW and Mercedes could face huge price hikes
- ? Fashion: European clothing and textiles are tax up to 25%
Will This Rift Go Nuclear?
With both men doubling down and refusing to back off, insiders fear the feud could explode even further.
- Will Musk openly campaign against Trump in 2026?
- Will Trump try to crush Musk’s companies through policy and regulation?
- Could this fracture the Republican base, especially among younger tech-focused voters?
If this continues, 2025 might go down not as the year of tariffs—but as the year Trump and Musk declared war on each other.
Elon Musk Trump Tariff Clash Just Starts
What began as a quiet policy disagreement is now a full-blown economic and political battle.
With Trump declaring tariff revolution, and Musk demanding free trade and open markets, the world is watching—and waiting for the next move.
The billionaire and the president were once untouchable allies. But now? They’re on a collision course.
And when giants clash, the world shakes.
