Elon Musk reportedly stalls on final $100 million payment to Donald Trump amid reports of widening rift
In a surprising twist to one of the most high-profile political partnerships in recent years, billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk reportedly still owes Donald Trump $100 million, according to a report from
The Wall Street Journal
. The sum is part of a larger $300 million commitment Musk allegedly made to support Trump's reelection efforts — but tensions between the two appear to be disrupting the flow of funds.
Is Elon Musk withholding $100 million from Donald Trump's campaign?
According to
WSJ
, Trump's advisors have confirmed that the final $100 million installment hasn't been delivered. That missing amount has fueled speculation that the once-close relationship between Trump and Musk is unraveling. The pair shared a public alliance over the past year, especially during the election run and early days of the Trump administration. But the bond has since weakened, with insiders now describing the situation as 'strained.'
What caused the rift between Elon Musk and Trump?
One major source of tension appears to be Musk's frustration with a secretive meeting between Trump and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, one of Musk's known rivals. The WSJ reported that Musk was so angered by the news that the meeting was delayed just to calm him down. Altman never made it to a planned public event with Trump, likely due to the behind-the-scenes drama.
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Adding to the fallout, Trump administration officials have grown frustrated with Musk's behavior inside the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — a division Musk was put in charge of. The tech billionaire often made decisions without coordinating with key Trump officials, according to
WSJ
. At one point, the tension reportedly got so bad that Trump had to assign someone to monitor Musk's actions, effectively acting as a political babysitter.
Did Musk's White House influence come to an end?
Over time, Musk's presence at the White House dwindled. From being there several days a week, he reduced his visits to just a few, signaling a shift in his engagement. Musk also clashed with Trump's economic policies — particularly the rollout of extreme tariffs and a costly legislative proposal dubbed the 'big, beautiful bill.'
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In a CBS News interview, Musk criticized the bill, saying it adds trillions to the federal deficit and undermines the DOGE team's efforts. His stark disapproval appeared to be the final straw, according to sources familiar with the situation.
Is Tesla suffering from Musk's political entanglements?
Meanwhile, Tesla's sales and revenue have sharply declined, with analysts pointing to Musk's increasing alignment with far-right ideologies as a contributing factor. His active role in reshaping federal policies and slashing budgets may have earned him political points early on, but now it's reportedly damaging his business reputation.
Despite the internal friction, Trump hasn't openly admitted to a full-blown fallout. During Musk's recent farewell party at the White House, Trump claimed, 'Elon is not really leaving. He's going to be back and forth.' But many observers aren't so sure.
Is this the end of the Musk-Trump alliance?
The situation paints a picture of a once-powerful alliance turning cold. Trump himself recently questioned Musk's credibility in budget negotiations, allegedly asking his advisors, 'Was it all bullsh*t?', in reference to Musk's promise to slash $2 trillion in government spending — a number that now seems massively overestimated.
For now, the $100 million question remains unanswered, both literally and figuratively. Whether Musk will fulfill his financial promise to Trump, or if this is a permanent split, is something only time will reveal.
On the Elon Musk and Donald Trump political drama
As the story unfolds, it highlights how fast political and business relationships can change — especially when ego, influence, and billions of dollars are involved. With
The Wall Street Journal
shedding light on the tension, all eyes are now on whether Musk will pay up — or pull away for good.
FAQs:
Q1: Why does Elon Musk owe Donald Trump $100 million?
Musk reportedly pledged $300 million to support Trump's campaign but hasn't paid the final $100 million.
Q2: What caused the fallout between Elon Musk and Donald Trump?
Their rift began over policy disagreements, Musk's behavior, and Trump's secret meeting with Sam Altman.
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