Elon Musk changes phone number amid Trump feud fallout
- Speaker of the House Mike Johnson noted that Elon Musk changed his phone number following his dispute with Donald Trump.
- This change resulted in Johnson's messages to Musk going unanswered, highlighting a breakdown in their communication.
- The public fallout between Musk and Trump has implications for their political relationships and future engagements.
In the United States in 2025, a significant public falling-out occurred between Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump over a controversial spending and tax legislation known as the 'Big, Beautiful Bill.' This conflict began to escalate in May when Trump promoted the bill, which Musk publicly criticized for its implications on government spending. Musk's opposition stemmed from his role at the Department of Government Efficiency, where he aimed to cut federal spending but found himself at odds with Trump’s legislation. Following their disagreements, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson attempted to communicate with Musk but found his messages went unanswered due to Musk's change of phone number. Mike Johnson revealed that he sent a lengthy text to Musk, which never reached him as it was delivered 'into the ether' after Musk changed his contact information. This incident has highlighted wider tensions among Republican leaders regarding Musk’s criticisms of Trump’s policies. Musk's previous relationship with Trump was characterized as friendly until this fallout, which led to public exchanges of allegations and criticisms, particularly concerning the effect of the legislation on electric vehicle mandates that are important to Musk’s Tesla company. Despite the ongoing tensions, it appears that both Musk and Trump have expressed a willingness to reconcile. Musk publicly recognized his regret for certain comments made about Trump, and Trump indicated he held no grudges against Musk. Nevertheless, the relationship remains complicated as Musk announced intentions to create a new political party, the 'America Party,' indicating a shift in his political alignment away from traditional Republican and Democratic platforms. This new political endeavor coincides with Musk's personal and professional re-evaluation following the fallout, as both individuals navigate the complexities of their political associations and public perceptions. The evolution of Musk and Trump's relationship, along with Musk's emerging political aspirations, paints a complex picture of modern political dynamics in the U.S. Their interaction reflects broader issues within the Republican party regarding fiscal policies and the direction of the party under Trump's influence. Thus far, Musk's criticisms have extended beyond just Trump's policies but also encapsulate his broader concerns about government spending and political accountability.