International News: The world's richest man, Elon Musk, distanced himself from the US government. Within six months, his friendship with President Trump broke down. He suffered a loss of more than Rs 35 lakh crore during this period. Let us explain in detail how much loss Musk faced in which sectors during this time and how Trump benefited. You might have heard that if Sachin Tendulkar had played any sport or pursued any work other than cricket, he might not have been as successful. Something similar can be said about Musk during this period. He tried his luck in politics, but the political journey did not suit him or his business. He has returned home. Musk got into trouble by trying to keep a foot in two boats. He shifted his focus from business to politics, and his boat came close to sinking. Since January 2025, there has been a continuous decline in his wealth, with losses exceeding Rs 35 lakh crore.
From Empire to Power: Musk’s Loss, Trump’s Gain
There was a time when British rule was the dominant power worldwide. It was said that the sun never set on the British Empire. But time changed, the world economy evolved, and after independence, America emerged as a powerful nation, surpassing all others economically. Now, a decision by America creates tension worldwide, and its decisions are discussed globally. This trend continues even after Musk stepped down from the government. Musk suffered heavy losses after joining Trump's government, while Trump became politically stronger after assuming the presidency. Let’s understand Musk's losses and Trump's gains in detail.
Elon Musk suffered a huge loss
Donald Trump became President of America for the second time on January 20, 2025. He gave Musk a big responsibility to help him and the party during elections. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was handed over to Musk. However, Musk left the post before completing his tenure. He announced this himself on the social media platform X. Musk did not get along with the government since Trump took office. His net worth has declined sharply ever since. According to the Bloomberg Index, Elon Musk’s wealth fell by $45.2 billion between January and May 30, 2025, dropping to $387 billion.
Tesla shares also crashed
Musk’s troubles began after joining the US government. Tesla’s shares experienced a massive sell-off since January. The company’s shares fell by about 5 percent since January 2025 and are currently trading at $358.43. On January 20, the shares were around $420, then dropped by over 45 percent to $225 on March 18. Although the shares recovered slightly, they still trade lower than before. The fall in Tesla’s shares directly impacted Musk’s net worth, as he holds about 13 percent of the company’s shares (approximately 412 million shares).
Musk also incurred losses from SpaceX
Elon Musk’s company SpaceX also suffered setbacks after he joined the US government. Following Trump’s swearing-in, SpaceX’s shares traded around $202 in the US market. There was significant volatility after that. After a massive sell-off on April 8, the shares fell to around $158 but later rallied to trade at $194.07 currently.
Trump benefited
On one hand, the wealth of Elon Musk — who supported Trump during the US elections — declined after the new government formed. On the other hand, Trump presented himself as a strong global leader. He aimed to show his strength by imposing tariffs on the world while promoting the slogan "Make America Great." He was largely successful. After the tariff announcement, stock markets worldwide shook but rebounded when the tariffs were paused. Overall, Trump demonstrated his dominance on the world stage by doing things his own way.
