Tensions between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk finally exploded into the open on Thursday, likely closing chapters of perhaps one of the most important alliances in recent political history.
The split has led some Republicans to be stuck in the middle to discuss their next move. Do they side with Trump, the party leader whose influence and authority are looming in so many aspects of life? Or can their masks boost those who are running for reelection or running to make Trump successful in 2028 despite threats to withhold donations to lawmakers who support Republican megaville? Can they try to soothe both?
Musk, 53, has already drawn the line of future future between the 78-year-old and Trump, urging Republicans to come by his side.
“Food for thought to reflect on this question,” Musk wrote to X, who was far-right activist Laura Rumer wondering how Republicans would react. “Trump has 3.5 years left as president, but I have been around for over 40 years.”
This is a Republican who is closely watching to decide how we navigate fallout.
The vice president and heir to Trump’s political movement could be the biggest loser of the blowout.
As Musk’s potential future campaign contributions are now at risk, Vance, the expected 2028 presidential candidate, has incentives to mediate relationships. Vance wouldn’t want to endanger his donor relationship with Musk, but he would also need Trump’s support if he wants to inherit his base. He will be constrained by the amount that Trump can realistically infiltrate if the feud continues.
Musk appears to support Vance in the X-Post, which calls for Trump to be fired up each, suggesting that their relationship remains unharmed for now, as the Vice President will take his place. And the two appear to share some political stances, including supporting alternatives to the far-right party in Germany’s German Land (AFD).
In April, after it was first reported that Musk was planning to leave the White House, Vance said he hopes Trump and Musk will be nearby.
“Doge has a lot to do, but yeah, that job will continue even after Elon leaves,” Vance said in April. “But basically, Elon will remain a friend and advisor to both me and the president.”
The Florida governor has a tortured relationship with Trump, his 2024 rival who turned to his former political benefactor who bulldozed him during the presidential election.
However, since Trump took office, DeSantis has publicly supported the president and signed the Florida Immigration Act, which promotes Trump’s immigration agenda.
He is also a huge Musk fan.
Musk offered to host a glitch and error-filled launch event via X-Space, the audio livestream feature for Musk-owned social media site. Musk also donated $10 million to DeSantis’ campaign, before he dropped out and supported Trump.
In Musk’s final week as part of the Trump administration, DeSantis praised his work leading the government’s Department of Efficiency, calling the bill “voter betrayal,” and reflected Musk’s criticism of the settlement package for not doing enough to reduce the deficit.
He went further on Wednesday and chose Musk for a donation solicitation.
“Elon Musk is tall and has earned a hit to lead the fight in the clumsy, cut unnecessary spending and expose bloated government programs,” said a funding email from one of DeSantis’ political committees on Wednesday. “The media attacked him. The left was panicked. But now, even Congressional Republicans are retreating.”
It is unclear what Desantis’ political future holds – he has been limited as governor since 2026 – but Musk’s support can play a role in what he does next.
A spokesman for the governor’s political operations said the fundraising language was approved on May 29th.
Trump Musk Lift sets a potential nuisance between Trump’s powerful deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller, and his wife, Katie Miller.
The New York Times reported in January that Stephen Miller had advised Musk about his political contributions. However, it is unclear whether the relationship is still strong. And after Musk began attacking Republican megaville, Stephen Miller became a solid advocate for legislation.
On Thursday, Musk appeared to follow Miller with X after Trump and Musk swapped barbs. If there was a path to peace between Trump and Musk, Millers could have played a role.
Tapping on a co-lead doge with Musk, Ramaswamy split from the administration before taking office and eventually ran for the governor of Ohio.
But the former presidential candidate, who raised his profile by passionately defending Trump in the 2024 Republican primary, has always been in line with the brand of cost-cutting libertarian conservatism that Musk accepts. However, if he tries to grow closer to Musk with the vacuum left by Trump when Ramaswamy takes office, he must overcome the fact that Mask thinks he is annoyed.
Sachs, a South African entrepreneur, entered Trump’s trajectory via Musk and is now heading the White House artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency policy. But if it’s any indication that the White House will withdraw Jared Isaacman’s NASA to Chief, the bag may not be long for Washington.
Meanwhile, Trump’s embrace of the crypto industry, and the role of the bag as a crypto emperor, could prove attractive enough to be adjacent to the president and allies to his longtime friends.
When Trump and Musk clash with the settlement bill, Senate Republicans will pick up the work as they meet at least 50 members and continue to discuss changes to pass the bill. Tillis in particular faces a tough reelection fight and will ensure strong support from Trump and Musk can be used.
Musk’s second day tweets attacks on the bill – Tillis said CNN Musk is “a great guy,” but he said he “gets resources.”
As Republicans seek to approve the bill this summer, Tillis could be forced to move aside sooner than he wishes. The way he navigates Rift may provide a roadmap for other battlefield Republicans before 2026.
Vance, Desantis, Stephen Miller, Katie Miller, Ramaswamy, Sack, and Tillis did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
