President Donald Trump has disclosed that his once-close relationship with Elon Musk began deteriorating after discussions about eliminating electric vehicle mandates. The revelation comes as Trump signed legislation Thursday blocking California's ambitious plans to phase out gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035.

According to Fox Business, Trump expressed surprise that Musk, the Tesla CEO who stepped down from his role heading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) last month, hadn't voiced concerns about Trump's intention to abolish EV mandates. Trump noted that Musk had endorsed him despite knowing about these efforts.

During the signing ceremony, Trump recounted that Musk had previously reassured him about Tesla's competitive position, saying, "As long as I'm on the same plane as everybody else, we're going to do good. We make a better product." Trump described his response as simply "That's very cool. It's very good," but claimed that "After that, he got a little bit strange... over much smaller things."

Mandate Reversal Tensions

The legislation signed by Trump effectively ends a waiver issued by the Biden administration's Environmental Protection Agency that would have required 80% of vehicles in California to be electric by 2035. The package included multiple resolutions targeting California's emissions plans, including measures affecting zero-emission heavy-duty trucks and nitrogen oxide regulations.

This policy shift represents a significant blow to electric vehicle adoption goals championed by environmental advocates and supported by manufacturers like Tesla. The reversal puts Trump's administration at odds with states seeking to implement their own aggressive emissions standards.

Trump's signing ceremony underscored his administration's commitment to rolling back climate-focused regulations established during the Biden years. The president has consistently argued that such mandates hurt American consumers and manufacturers by limiting choice and increasing costs.

From Allies to Adversaries

What began as a promising political alliance has descended into a public war of words between two of America's most prominent billionaires. The deterioration accelerated when Musk departed DOGE and publicly criticized Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, calling it a "disgusting abomination."

This represented a dramatic shift from their earlier relationship when Musk campaigned for Trump and was subsequently tapped to lead a massive cost-cutting effort across government agencies. During his brief tenure in government, Musk worked as a "special government employee" limited to 130 days of service in a 365-day period, according to the Office of Government Ethics.

Their alliance had been highly visible, with Trump defending Musk against critics, showcasing a red Tesla outside the White House, and the pair attending a UFC fight together. Trump had also publicly praised Musk for SpaceX achievements, further cementing what appeared to be a strong working relationship.

Accusations Fly

The feud has intensified with both men trading increasingly personal accusations. Trump claimed Musk's change in attitude stemmed from the elimination of EV tax credits and Trump's refusal to appoint Musk's preferred NASA candidate, Jared Isaacman, allegedly due to Isaacman's past donations to Democratic candidates.

Musk responded with serious allegations, attempting to link Trump to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. The Tesla CEO also warned that Trump's tariff policies would trigger an economic recession, signaling a complete breakdown in their relationship.

The public nature of this falling out has created significant attention, particularly given both men's massive social media followings and influence within Republican circles. Their dispute highlights tensions within the party regarding climate policy, government spending, and personal loyalty.

Mandate Politics Unfold

Trump's actions against California's EV mandates represent a fulfillment of campaign promises to reverse what he characterized as overreaching environmental regulations. The president has consistently argued that the government should not dictate the types of vehicles Americans can purchase.

The resolutions Trump signed specifically target California's unique authority to set its own vehicle emissions standards, which had been restored under the Biden administration. This authority has historically allowed California to implement stricter environmental regulations than federal standards.

The timing of this policy action coinciding with the Trump-Musk fallout highlights how policy differences can strain even the closest political alliances. What began as a relationship where Trump praised Musk's business acumen and Musk endorsed Trump's leadership has devolved into mutual criticism over fundamental policy disagreements.