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TIMELINE: Inside the evolving relationship between Trump and Musk from first term to this week’s fallout
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The fallout between Elon Musk and President Donald Trump is an evolving situation marked by a public blowup on Thursday, but their relationship ties back to Trump’s first term and even earlier.
A November 2016 CNBC interview with the Tesla CEO, who’s now the richest man in the world, took a critical tone of the now president just days before he was elected president in an upset that signified the strength of the populist movement.
«Honestly, I think Hillary’s economic policies and her environmental policies particularly are the right ones, you know, but yeah. Also, I don’t think this is the finest moment in our democracy at all,» Musk said.
«Well, I feel a bit stronger that probably he’s not the right guy. He just doesn’t seem to have the sort of character that reflects well on the United States,» he later added in the interview.
‘KILL BILL’: ELON MUSK’S CONSERVATIVE EVOLUTION PUTS HIM AT ODDS WITH TRUMP ON KEY LEGISLATION
U.S. President Donald Trump and Elon Musk attend a press conference in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., May 30, 2025. (REUTERS/Nathan Howard)
During Trump’s first term, Musk was part of some of his economic advisory councils, which often includes CEOs, but ultimately left his post because he disagreed with the president’s move to exit the Paris Climate Accords.
«Am departing presidential councils. Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world,» Musk posted at the time.
The two continued to have an on-and-off relationship, but there were some positive signs in May 2020.
«Elon Musk, congratulations. Congratulations, Elon. Thanks, Elon. For Elon and 8,000 SpaceX employees, today is the fulfillment of a dream almost two decades in the making,» Trump said at the Kennedy Space Center in May 2020.
And at the SpaceX Demo-2 launch, Trump said he and Musk communicate regularly.
«Well, I won’t get into it. But, yeah — but I speak to him all the time. Great guy. He’s one of our great brains. We like great brains. And Elon has done a fantastic job,» he said.
ELON MUSK’S NET WORTH PLUMMETS BY $34B AMID ESCALATING FEUD WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP
President Donald Trump and Elon Musk (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Fast forward to 2022, when Musk purchased Twitter and renamed it X, and brought back Trump’s account that November, after it was suspended after the events of Jan. 6, 2021. In 2022, Musk also announced that he would vote Republican, but indicated he would back Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis if he opted to seek the nomination.
DeSantis launched his campaign on X in a «space,» a virtual public event forum, with Musk, who also reportedly significantly financially backed the Florida governor, according to The Wall Street Journal.
However, a major turning point was in July 2024, after the assassination attempt of Trump at a rally in Butler, Penn.
«I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery,» Musk posted.
Musk then campaigned for the president, including a famous moment when he was jumping on stage at his comeback rally in Butler.
WOULD DONALD TRUMP HAVE WON THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WITHOUT ELON MUSK’S HELP?
BUTLER, PA – OCT. 5: Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk speaks with former president Donald Trump during a campaign event at the Butler Farm Show, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Butler, Pa. ((Photo by Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images))
«I want to say what an honor it is to be here and, you know, the true test of someone’s character is how they behave under fire, right?» Musk said at the rally. «And we had one president who couldn’t climb a flight of stairs and another who was fist pumping after getting shot.»
«This is no ordinary election,» the tech CEO continued. «The other side wants to take away your freedom of speech.»
«Just be a pest to everyone,» he added. «You know, people on the street everywhere: Vote, vote, vote!»
The tech billionaire spent roughly $300 million through America PAC to boost swing state voter efforts, including Pennsylvania.
By the time the presidential election rolled around, Trump and Musk appeared to be close friends as the Tesla CEO was with Trump in Mar-a-Lago on election night. Over the next few days, Musk remained in Florida and was reportedly advising Trump on appointments and policy as the transition to a new administration kicked off.
A week later, shortly before Musk and the new president appeared at a SpaceX launch together in Texas, Trump announced that Musk and tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy would be heading up the Department of Government Efficiency in an effort to rid the government of waste, fraud, and abuse.
Trump described the pair as «two wonderful Americans’ and although Ramaswamy left that post in January and is now running for governor in Ohio, Musk stayed on and quickly became the face of an agency that made him the main target of attacks from Democrats pushing back on spending cuts that they argued were too drastic.
Protests erupted nationwide against Musk and DOGE including violent outbursts at his Tesla dealerships that tanked the company’s stock and were labeled as acts of «domestic terrorism» by the Justice Department.
FLASHBACK: TOP FIVE WILDEST MOMENTS FROM ELON MUSK’S DOGE TENURE AS IT COMES TO AN END
President Donald Trump bought a Tesla from Musk at the White House as a show of support earlier this year when the EV-maker faced consumer backlash over Musk’s political activism. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)
During the first few months of the year, Musk and Trump were spotted together at several viral events including a UFC fight, an Oval Office meeting where Musk’s son «Little X» stole the show, and a cabinet meeting in late February where Musk was the main focus.
In March, Trump hosted Elon at a Tesla showcase in front of the White House amid a dip in Tesla stock where the president told reporters he was purchasing a Tesla while touting the company.
As Musk’s time at DOGE began to wind down, his employee classification allowed him to serve for 130 days, the newly formed agency had become the poster child of anti-Trump sentiment from Democrats who consistently attacked the $175 billion in spending cuts that DOGE estimated it delivered.
Signs of fracture in the relationship began showing in late May when Musk took a public shot at Trump’s «big beautiful bill» as it made its way through Congress.
«I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing,» Musk said.
Two days later, Musk announced his official departure from DOGE.
«As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending,» Musk said, adding that the effects of DOGE «will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.»
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump greets Elon Musk as he arrives to attend a viewing of the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket (Brandon Bell)
DOGE, which fell short of Musk’s initial goal of slashing $1 trillion in spending which Musk said he still remains optimistic will happen in the future, will continue its work without Musk, who said, «I look forward to continuing to be a friend and adviser to the president.»
That optimistic tone shifted drastically on June 3 when Musk took to X, the platform he owns, and blasted the budget reconciliation bill calling it «a disgusting abomination» and criticizing the Republicans who voted for it.
«KILL THE BILL,» Musk said the next day.
A day after that, on Thursday, the feud hit a fever pitch.
While speaking with reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said that he was «very disappointed» by Musk’s vocal criticisms of the bill. The president claimed that Musk knew what was in the bill and «had no problem» with it until the EV incentives had to be cut.
On X, Musk called that assessment «false.»
Trump turned to social media to criticize Musk, who he appointed to find ways to cut $2 trillion after forming the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
«Elon was ‘wearing thin,’ I asked him to leave, I took away his EV Mandate that forced everyone to buy Electric Cars that nobody else wanted (that he knew for months I was going to do!), and he just went CRAZY!» Trump said in one post.
In another post, Trump said, «I don’t mind Elon turning against me, but he should have done so months ago. This is one of the Greatest Bills ever presented to Congress. It’s a Record Cut in Expenses, $1.6 Trillion Dollars, and the Biggest Tax Cut ever given.»
«If this Bill doesn’t pass, there will be a 68% tax increase, and things far worse than that. I didn’t create this mess, I’m just here to FIX IT. This puts our Country on a Path of Greatness. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!»
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Elon Musk speaks on stage as he joins former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during a campaign rally at site of his first assassination attempt in Butler, Pa. on Oct. 5, 2024. (JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)
At one point, Musk referenced late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein in relation to Trump as part of the larger tirade in a comment that several Republicans told Fox News Digital went «too far.»
Other posts from Musk included a claim that Trump would not have won the election without his help while accusing Trump of «ingratitude.» In another post, Musk suggested that Trump should be impeached and replaced by Vice President Vance.
It is unclear if a resolution to the feud is coming in the next few days. Fox News Digital reported on Friday morning that Musk wants to speak to Trump and that White House aides could possibly broker a meeting.
Trump told Fox News on Friday that he isn’t interested in talking to Musk, adding that «Elon’s totally lost it.»
Trump also said to Fox News’ Bret Baier that he isn’t worried about Musk’s suggestion to form a new political party, citing favorable polls and strong support from Republicans on Capitol Hill.
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Crisis en Cuba: la cosecha de azúcar no alcanzó las 150.000 toneladas y se convirtió en la peor en más de un siglo
La zafra (cosecha) de 2024/2025 en Cuba no superó las 150.000 toneladas de azúcar, lo que supone el peor resultado en más de un siglo y menos de la mitad de lo obtenido el año pasado, según cálculos de EFE basados en fuentes oficiales.
La cifra es aún peor que las estimaciones independientes publicadas hasta la fecha y apenas algo más de la mitad del modesto plan estatal para esta temporada de producción de azúcar, un producto que durante décadas fue pilar fundamental de la economía cubana, primera exportación nacional y fuente de orgullo.
De “desastre” califica estos datos un antiguo responsable del ahora extinto Ministerio de la Industria Azucarera (Minaz) de Cuba, que pide mantener el anonimato.
Este volumen, advierten los expertos, resulta insuficiente para las necesidades internas del país, pone en aprietos a la industria del ron cubano (que tiene el azúcar nacional como ingrediente imprescindible) e impide de nuevo que La Habana cumpla su acuerdo de suministro preferente con China.
El cálculo se ha elaborado a partir de una treintena de reportes parciales de medios oficiales nacionales y regionales, y ante la falta de información comprensiva por parte de instituciones y medios oficiales. EFE solicitó una entrevista con la azucarera estatal Azcuba, pero no ha obtenido respuesta.
La suma de los objetivos de los quince centrales azucareros operativos en esta zafra (menos de un 10 % de los que llegaron a funcionar en Cuba) no llega a las 280.0000 toneladas de azúcar, según estas informaciones. Los centrales azucareros son fábricas en las que se procesa la caña de azúcar.
Por el contrario, no se ha informado públicamente del resultado total de la cosecha, pese a su relevancia económica.
Distintos medios oficiales difundieron por separado las cifras de producción de diez centrales (entre ellos los principales del país, como el Antonio Guiteras de Las Tunas y el Ciro Redondo de Ciego de Ávila) por un total de 95.584 toneladas.
De la cosecha de los otros cinco centrales no se puede encontrar información pública, pero sí de sus objetivos, que sumaban 52.068 toneladas de azúcar.
Si como publicó Granma -órgano oficial del Partido Comunista de Cuba (PCC, único legal)- tan sólo uno de los 15 centrales operativos -el Melanio Hernández- logró su meta, entonces se puede inferir que la zafra 2024/2025 no superó las 150.000 toneladas.
Algunos centrales han tenido resultados muy pobres. El Dos Ríos de Santiago de Cuba apenas logró 2.700 toneladas, de las 20.811 planificadas (13%); y el Antonio Guiteras sumó 7.200, de las 45.000 previstas (16%).
Según distintas fuentes históricas, Cuba no producía menos de 150.000 toneladas desde el siglo XIX, cuando las guerras de independencia frente a España lastraron la producción del ya entonces cultivo principal de la isla. En 1989, por el contrario, el país alcanzó los ocho millones.
Cuba llegó a ser el primer exportador mundial de azúcar y contó con más de 160 centrales. A lo largo de los años suscribió acuerdos preferenciales con Estados Unidos (antes de la revolución) y con la URSS.
Tras el derrumbe del sector los expertos señalan, entre otras causas, la obsolescencia de los centrales, la falta de inversiones y recursos materiales (equipos, combustible, etc), los apagones, las adversidades climatológicas, la escasez de personal capacitado y las ineficiencias.
El ex responsable del central destaca a EFE que se está plantando poca caña por hectárea y que parte de la materia prima se pierde por no procesarla rápidamente por los cortes eléctricos, las averías y la falta de combustible.
Este jubilado, que lloró el día que vio las ruinas en que se ha convertido el central que dirigió, señala que quizá, en las condiciones actuales, sería más barato importar el azúcar que producirlo en Cuba.
La industria azucarera cubana vive un continuado declive desde hace décadas, en parte por el contexto externo (caída del bloque socialista europeo, sanciones estadounidenses, precios en el mercado internacional…), pero también por decisiones propias, entre las que destaca el proceso de reestructuración del sector a principios de siglo.
La del azúcar es otra más de las crisis que padece la isla, en una situación económica y social muy complicada desde 2020. En estos cinco años el producto interno bruto (PIB) de la isla se ha contraído un 11% y las previsiones apuntan a una nueva caída este ejercicio.
(EFE)
Agricultural Markets,Corporate Events,South America / Central America,SAN CRISTOBAL
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is looking into two political action committees for allegedly violating the law by assisting Texas state Democrats’ travel out of the state in an effort to avoid a quorum during a redistricting standoff.
The groups are the Powered by People PAC, led by former Rep. Beto O’Rourke, and the Texas Majority PAC, led by members of his former staff.
«Any Democrat coward breaking the law by taking a Beto Bribe will be held accountable,» Paxton said in a news release on Wednesday.
O’Rourke unsuccessfully sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, lost to Sen. Ted Cruz in a closely-watched 2018 contest, and lost to Gov. Greg Abbott in 2022. Still, he remains a prominent voice in the state’s political scene.
GEORGE SOROS, BETO O’ROURKE BEHIND FUNDING FOR DEMS FLEEING TEXAS OVER GOP CONGRESSIONAL MAP
A side-by-side of George Soros and Beto O’Rourke. Soros is a major backer of the Texas Majority PAC, and O’Rourke is the leader of the Powered by People PAC, which is helping Democrats in the state amid a redistricting battle. (Getty Images)
«Texas cannot be bought. I look forward to thoroughly reviewing all of the documents and communications obtained throughout this investigation. These jet-setting runaways have already lost public trust by abandoning our state, and Texans deserve to know if they received illegal bribes to do it,» Paxton continued.
Public records indicated that the Powered by People PAC does get a significant number of smaller donations through individuals by platforms like ActBlue, but it’s also received over hundreds of thousands from the progressive consulting firm Middle Seat, and $100,000 from Simone Coxe, a nonprofit leader who was a major funder of O’Rourke’s gubernatorial bid, according to the Texas Tribune. In addition, FEC records show that the Harris Victory Fund gave over $114,000 in January 2024 and $60,000 in December 2023.
In 2024, it also received just over $5,000 from Luci Baines Johnson, the former first daughter of President Lyndon Johnson.
AWOL DEMS’ FLIGHT FROM TEXAS MAY HAVE BEEN FUNDED ILLEGALLY BY BETO O’ROURKE NONPROFIT
Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke speaks at a primary election gathering in Fort Worth, Texas, Tuesday, March 1, 2022. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
According to the Texas Tribune, the PAC has acknowledged assisting lawmakers with travel outside of the state, including helping to cover $500 daily fines.
«100% of your donation will go to supporting Texas Democrats in their fight against Trump’s power grab,» the website stated, Fox News Digital previously reported.
The group reports over $3.5 million in cash on hand as of June 30, according to Federal Election Commission records.
BETO O’ROURKE ASKED POINT BLANK WHY HE’S HELPING DEMS FLEE TEXAS RATHER THAN HELPING TEXANS
Texas Democrats stood next to Illinois lawmakers on Aug. 4, 2025, to oppose redistricting measures proposed by Texas Republicans. (Fox News)
As for the Texas Majority PAC, it receives heavy funding from George Soros, a longtime Democratic donor.
«If Texas lawmakers are bowing to the Soros Slush Fund rather than the will of the voters, Texans deserve to know. Getting financial payouts under the table to abandon your legislative duties is bribery,» Paxton said in a Thursday statement. «Texas Majority PAC’s actions seem to indicate that it may be using its Soros-funded resources to break the law and fund the illegal abandonment of public office. If that’s the case as determined by this investigation, there will be a heavy price to pay.»
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Fox News Digital reached out to Powered by People PAC and the Texas Majority PAC for comment on the Paxton investigation. O’Rourke responded to a post from Paxton on Wednesday, saying the Democrat is «scared of accountability.»
«Scared? If we stop the Texas steal & win the House, your guy’s crimes & corruption will be exposed for all to see. The girls traded with Epstein. The bribes taken from foreign governments. And when he goes down, your corrupt, impeached, twice indicted ass is going down with him!» O’Rourke replied on X.
texas,beto orourke,greg abbott,congress
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