The staggering and exceedingly public rupture in the world’s most consequential and unprecedented partnership was a long time coming. But the surreal state of suspended animation that consumed Washington as President Donald Trump and Elon Musk traded escalating blows on social media obscured a 48-hour period that illustrated profoundly high-stakes moment for the White House.

President Donald Trump has said he plans to "take a look" at Elon Musk's government contracts after their blowup on Thursday. Musk and Trump sparred publicly as their relationship crumbled in real time over the House fiscal plan that Republicans named the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act.