Washington: The once-budding alliance between Donald Trump and Elon Musk has unravelled in spectacular fashion, with the public spat between the US President and the tech billionaire playing out across their respective social media platforms.

What had initially taken off like one of Musk’s SpaceX rockets – supercharged and full of promise – came crashing down on Thursday with a political and personal flameout. The row reached a peak when Trump threatened to sever Musk’s lucrative government contracts, prompting Musk to fire back by suggesting, without offering evidence, that Trump’s name was included in unreleased files related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The dramatic falling-out began after Trump was questioned during a White House meeting with Germany’s new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, about Musk’s criticism of his latest spending bill.

Just days earlier, the pair had appeared together at the White House for a quiet farewell. Trump had thanked Musk for his short stint in the US government, symbolically handing him a non-functional golden key.

Trump had remained largely silent as Musk aired his grievances over several days on X, his social media platform, branding the president’s proposed legislation the “Big Beautiful Bill”. However, on Thursday, Trump hit back, telling reporters in the Oval Office he was “very disappointed in Musk”.

Musk responded instantly on social media. Trump, who was meant to be discussing peace proposals for the Russia-Ukraine war, escalated matters by logging onto Truth Social and publicly threatening to hit Musk where it hurt — by cutting government ties with Starlink and SpaceX.

“The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts,” Trump wrote.

“This just gets better and better,” Musk replied on X. “Go ahead, make my day.”

Then, in a more explosive allegation, Musk said: “Trump was in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!” He provided no evidence to support the claim.

The insinuation fed into longstanding conspiracy theories online about withheld files allegedly linking high-profile individuals to Epstein.

The fallout swiftly affected Musk’s business interests. Shares in Tesla, Musk’s electric car company, plunged more than 10% after Trump’s remarks – a sharp reversal from the post-election surge, when Musk promised to shift focus back to Tesla after time spent in government.

Musk had been one of Trump’s key supporters during his campaign, reportedly spending over $250 million to back his bid for office. The president had granted him considerable influence, including a senior role in the Department of Government Efficiency. Their relationship, however, now appears to be in ruins — and quickly so.

Musk delivered a personal blow in return, saying: “Without me, Trump would have lost the election. Such ingratitude.”

The tech mogul announced his backing for Trump shortly after the near-assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally last July. He launched a political action committee soon after and became a regular presence at campaign events, even leaping into the air behind Trump at an October rally.

Once Trump took office, Musk was often at his side — from joining Cabinet meetings in a MAGA hat to travelling aboard Air Force One and even staying in the Lincoln Bedroom.

Only three months ago, in a public show of support, Trump purchased a red Tesla from Musk on the White House driveway.

But Musk’s departure from government service last week was marked by a sombre press conference in the Oval Office. He appeared with a black eye, which he attributed to a scuffle with his young son — though many interpreted it as symbolic of his bruising time in office.

On Thursday, Trump couldn’t resist mentioning it.

“I said, ‘Do you want a little makeup? We’ll get you a little makeup.’ Which is interesting,” Trump quipped.

Musk had spent several days railing against Trump’s spending bill, calling it a “disgusting abomination” and warning it would worsen the deficit.

“He hasn’t said bad about me personally, but I’m sure that will be next,” Trump said during his White House appearance. “But I’m very disappointed in Elon. I’ve helped Elon a lot.”

Later on social media, Trump added: “Elon was ‘wearing thin,’ I asked him to leave.” He suggested Musk’s departure was necessary due to his role limitations.

“He just went CRAZY!” Trump wrote.

Political observers had long speculated whether the alliance between the two famously outspoken billionaires could last. It didn’t – and the rupture was swift.

Trump mused: “I don’t know if we will [have a great relationship] anymore,” adding that some former staff become hostile after leaving office. “It’s sort of Trump derangement syndrome, I guess they call it.”

Despite Musk’s significant efforts to support Trump’s re-election – including a $1 million-a-day sweepstakes drive in Pennsylvania – Trump dismissed the contributions. Musk’s massive spending had made him a coveted figure among Republicans, but his feud with the party leader now casts doubt over his future political influence.

Trump accused Musk of being upset because the bill rolled back electric vehicle tax credits.

“False,” Musk replied. “This bill was never shown to me even once and was passed in the dead of night so fast that almost no one in Congress could even read it!”

He added that Trump could keep the cuts but should “ditch the MOUNTAIN of DISGUSTING PORK in the bill.”

Another source of tension, according to Trump, was Musk’s attempt to promote Jared Isaacman as head of NASA — a nomination Trump revoked after Musk left office.

“I didn’t think it was appropriate,” Trump said. “Totally a Democrat.”

Musk kept posting on X, even highlighting Trump’s decade-old posts criticising Republican spending.

“Where is the man who wrote these words?” Musk asked. “Was he replaced by a body double!?”