Live updates: Trump says Musk has ‘lost his mind’ but says he is not focusing on row

If Musk believed he’s untouchable, he’s had a wake-up callpublished at 17:07 British Summer Time

17:07 BST

Zoe Kleinman
Technology editor

Last night a long-forgotten post I shared on X in November 2024 got some new attention: “I wonder how long it will be before Trump and Musk fall out,” I wrote. “It’s an extraordinarily powerful partnership but they are also two enormous egos who both like being Number One”.

Seven months later, we now know the answer.

In January, Trump was flanked by tech titans at his presidential inauguration: a mighty 21st-century equivalent of the Army Generals of old. Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg and of course, Elon Musk were all smiles. Apple boss Tim Cook appeared less thrilled, and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella was notably entirely absent.

Perhaps they already understood that Trump’s favour can be short-lived, and his fury unrestrained; even among his favourites.

Apple’s status as a multi-trillion dollar US success story hasn’t stopped Trump gunning for the iPhone, threatening eye-watering tariffs against China, where the majority of them are made.

If Musk ever believed his position as “best buddy” made him untouchable, he’s had a big wake-up call.

He’s now discovered that even he can’t change Trump’s mind, and that Trump will fight fire with fire for as long as it takes.

Image source, Shawn Thew-Pool/Getty Images