Though the tech billionaire has quickly risen to the (self-titled) position of ‘first buddy,’ the relationship between two of the world’s most powerful men has not always been roses writes Mike Bedigan. The rapid and intense bromance between two of the world’s most powerful men – Donald Trump and Elon Musk – may not have been on many people’s bingo cards for 2024, given their previous history.
![[Trump once described Musk as one of the world’s ‘great geniuses’ and likened him to Thomas Edison]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/20/10/GettyImages-2189976980.jpg)
But, it blossomed to end the year. With rumors swirling of a potential end to the honeymoon period between Trump and Musk – sources report that Trump is already becoming “annoyed” with his wealthy friend – here is a look back at their often tumultuous relationship:.
![[Musk was once described by Trump as ‘another bulls*** artist’ as the two’s relationship has been all over the map]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/30/13/ALEMANIA-ELECCIONES-ELON_MUSK_84323.jpg)
November 2016. In 2016, Musk was not the biggest fan of his future bestie, stating publicly that Trump was not fit to run for the nation’s highest office. "I feel a bit stronger that he is not the right guy. He doesn’t seem to have the sort of character that reflects well on the United States," the billionaire told CNBC at the time.
![[Musk swung his support behind Trump following the attempted assassination of the President-elect at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania in July]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/27/00/17-fef080b184e94390a94db7079b81bf4e.jpg)
June 2017. The pair’s first professional relationship did not end well. After Trump’s announcement that the U.S. would be withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement, Musk tendered his resignation from his positions on the presidential advisory boards.
![[Musk jumps on the stage as Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/31/13/SEI233605774.jpg)
“Am departing presidential councils. Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world,” Musk wrote on X, then-Twitter, and not yet under his ownership. January 2022. Five years later, it was Trump who rekindled the relationship after describing Musk as one of the world’s “great geniuses” and likening him to Thomas Edison.
![[In November, Trump traveled to Texas to witness SpaceX’s Starship launch alongside Musk]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/27/22/EEUU-INMIGRACI%C3%93N-SECTOR_TECNOL%C3%93GICO_53090.jpg)
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