Trump and Musk’s Falling Out: What It Means for Americans
The relationship between President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk has collapsed, and it’s making headlines. This week on No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen, we explore what happened, why it matters, and how it affects everyday Americans. Plus, we hear from Senator Mark Kelly about a controversial budget bill and Liz Oyer, Biden’s pardon attorney, about Trump’s recent pardons.
The Trump-Musk Breakup: How It Happened
The Trump-Musk feud exploded quickly, all starting with a budget bill that Musk opposed. This bill would cut healthcare for 14 million people, reduce food assistance by $300 billion, and increase the national debt by trillions. Musk didn’t like it because it included rules against electric vehicles (EVs), which hurt his company, Tesla. Here’s how the drama unfolded:
- Musk criticized the bill, saying it wasn’t good for his business.
- Trump hit back, saying Musk has “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
- Musk claimed Trump only won the 2024 election because of his support.
- Trump threatened to cut Musk’s government funding.
- Musk said Trump won’t release the Epstein files because his name is in them.
- Trump’s ally Steve Bannon called for Musk’s deportation.
- Musk suggested Trump should be impeached.
This fight shows how quickly Trump turns on even his biggest supporters when they disagree. Both men love attention, so it’s no surprise they clashed.
Trump’s History of Dropping Allies
Trump has a pattern of abandoning people once they’re no longer useful to him. He’s done this to:
- Ronna McDaniel, former RNC leader, blamed for election losses.
- Michael Cohen, his former lawyer.
- Gordon Sondland, a donor and ambassador.
- Rex Tillerson, former Secretary of State, called “dumb as a rock.”
- Mike Pompeo, another former Secretary of State.
- Kayleigh McEnany, his former press secretary.
- George Papadopoulos, a campaign adviser.
- Christopher Wray, former FBI director.
- Mike Pence, his vice president, after refusing to block the 2020 election results.
Now, Musk, who helped fund Trump’s 2024 win, is on the outs. If Trump can drop someone as powerful as Musk, it’s hard to believe he cares about regular people—like single parents, kids with health issues, or families needing food assistance.
The Budget Bill: Bad News for Many
The budget bill at the center of this fight is a big deal. It would:
- Take away healthcare from 14 million people, including kids and pregnant women.
- Cut $300 billion from food assistance programs.
- Add trillions to the national debt.
- Hurt renewable energy projects like solar and wind.
Senator Mark Kelly called the bill a “sandwich” that Americans will have to “eat” if it passes, meaning it’ll hurt a lot of people. He pointed out that Senator Josh Hawley, who once opposed the bill’s Medicaid cuts, changed his mind after talking to Trump, even though the bill hasn’t changed. Kelly says the bill’s cuts are delayed, so people might not feel them right away, but they’re coming. He also warned that killing renewable energy incentives could stop new energy projects, which the country needs.
Trump’s Pardons: Favors for the Connected
Trump’s recent pardons are raising eyebrows. Liz Oyer, Biden’s pardon attorney, says Trump is bypassing the usual process, where the Justice Department reviews cases. Instead, he’s granting pardons to wealthy or famous supporters who hire expensive lawyers to lobby him. Some examples:
- The Chrisleys: Reality TV stars convicted of financial fraud. Their daughter claimed they were unfairly targeted, but their case started under Trump’s first term.
- Paul Walzac: Ran a nursing home company and stole nearly $1 million from his workers. A judge sentenced him to 18 months in prison and ordered him to repay the money. Days after his mother attended a $1 million Mar-a-Lago dinner, Trump pardoned him, erasing his sentence and debt.
- Scott Jenkins: A Virginia sheriff who sold badges for cash.
- Michelle Fiore: A Nevada official who stole money from a police memorial fund for plastic surgery.
Oyer says these pardons favor Trump’s allies and show a “pardon economy” where money and connections buy special treatment. This is especially ironic since Trump claims his budget cuts are needed to stop fraud, yet he’s pardoning people guilty of it.
Why This Matters
The Trump-Musk breakup and these policies show Trump’s true priorities: himself. His willingness to turn on allies and push a bill that hurts millions while pardoning wealthy criminals suggests he’s not focused on helping everyday Americans. From families needing food stamps to seniors relying on Medicaid, the impact could be devastating.
Senator Kelly says the bill might not pass, as some Republicans, like Ron Johnson and Rand Paul, also oppose it. But the bigger picture is clear: Trump’s actions are about power and loyalty, not public good.