The unlikely alliance unraveled in real time, with Trump telling reporters in the Oval Office he was “very disappointed” in the tech mogul’s criticism of his spending bill, and Musk railing against the president on X.

Donald Trump has launched a blistering attack on Elon Musk, accusing his billionaire backer of being “hostile” to his administration as a row between two of the world’s most powerful men erupted into an all-out, public feud.

It began with Musk complaining about the centerpiece of Trump’s legislative agenda, which the president at first took in stride. Eventually Trump let slip that he was disappointed in his former adviser, prompting Musk to unleash a flood of insults and taunts.