The relationship between Mr. Trump and tech industry power brokers was built on money and the promise of deregulation, with Mr. Musk in the middle of it all.

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz says the meltdown between President Donald Trump and previous political confidante and billionaire backer Elon Musk is "two alpha males who are pissed off," unloading on each other.

Elon Musk and Donald Trump hurled insults at each other all day on Thursday after the president’s former ally attacked the bill containing his entire legislative agenda. And though Musk had somewhat backed off his hardline stance a few hours later,