The honeymoon phase of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s bromance has been waning for weeks, and now their relationship appears torn beyond repair just as publicly as it started.

The pair exchanged blows on social media on June 5, with Trump threatening on Truth Social to strip Musk’s companies of subsidies, while Musk took credit for the 2024 GOP victory and took to X to accuse Trump of being on the Jeffrey Epstein list. This ridiculous escalation distracts from the real point at issue, though.

Musk seems frustrated that Republicans used him in their charade to balance the federal budget, frustrated that Trump used him for his own end. But he really should be frustrated that he was so gullible – because he should have seen all of this coming.

I'm frustrated that this is the only thing receiving attention, considering the amount of work that needs to be done with the budget.

Republicans used Elon Musk as a political smokescreen

Whether Musk genuinely believed himself when he promised to cut $2 trillion (before quickly tempering that estimate) is up for debate. If he did believe it, he was entirely naive about both the current state of the Republican Party and our federal government.

Republicans thought they could use Musk as a political win and distraction, allowing him to claw back government spending through the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, while congressional Republicans authorized massive deficit increases.

Even after accounting for the economic growth that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act would stimulate, it's projected to add $2.4 trillion (yes, with a T) to the federal deficit over the next decade. This figure stands as a mountain next to the small pile of $2 billion (yes, with a B) worth of verifiable budget cuts from DOGE.

All the while, Republicans and Trump sang Musk’s praises, knowing that they would turn around and spend money that we don’t have.

But Musk should have realized it was all a show. Trump skyrocketed the deficit in his first presidency, and every promise he's ever given for a balanced budget has been a lie. As much as MAGA likes to claim otherwise, Trump’s GOP is no different than the swamp creatures they like to criticize.

Those who are actually interested in cutting government spending, which I think Musk at least somewhat seems to be, should not attach the idea to political parties because they will inevitably disappoint.

There hasn’t been a genuine effort to produce a balanced budget since the late 1990s, and there isn’t likely to be from either Republicans or Democrats anytime soon.

Trump and Musk have too big personalities to work together

I’m not the least bit surprised that these two narcissists’ relationship flamed out so quickly.

There was never enough room in Trump’s White House for both his and Musk’s personalities. Trump has never maintained an extended relationship with somebody who is willing to disagree with him publicly.

During his first term, Trump had extremely high personnel turnover rates, both among his Cabinet and his aides. Trump’s “you’re fired” catchphrase really says a lot about his approach to relationships. He is quick to turn on people who disagree with him or even just publicly embarrass him.

Musk has been loudly advocating against Trump’s "Big Beautiful Bill" for its impact on the deficit. After a week of Musk criticizing the deficit spending in Trump’s bill, the president has clearly had enough. He cannot tolerate a dissenting voice from within his ranks.

Trump and the GOP are now likely to kick a powerful ally to the curb, all because Trump is so vain that he cannot handle differing opinions. This is why the Republican Party is now made up of yes-men, because they have allowed Trump to push all the spine that he can out of the party.

Now that the sideshow of Musk is gone, Republicans have one less thing to hide behind. I'm not sure that makes it any more likely they'll act responsibly, but at least it's more transparent to Americans now.

Dace Potas is an opinion columnist for USA TODAY and a graduate of DePaul University with a degree in political science.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Musk is angry Trump used him. I'm frustrated we're focusing on the wrong thing. | Opinion

Reporting by Dace Potas, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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