Introduction
Throughout his public life and presidency, Donald Trump has amassed a lengthy list of disputes with political leaders, business tycoons, and even entertainment figures. His direct and confrontational style has led to notable tensions with allies, adversaries, and influential international figures.
Elon Musk
Recent Conflict:
Trump’s most recent dispute is with billionaire Elon Musk. The U.S. president warned that Musk would face “serious consequences” if he finances Republican candidates who vote against his proposed budget bill. Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, criticized Trump’s initiative for significantly increasing federal deficits and distanced himself from the former president after resigning as an advisor at the White House last week.
The public dispute erupted on Thursday when some lawmakers urged Musk to fund candidates challenging Republicans favorable to Trump’s proposal. Although Musk deleted a controversial accusation against Trump related to the Jeffrey Epstein case, Trump dismissed those allegations as “old news” and denied any implication.
The tension between Trump and Musk, two key figures in U.S. politics and economy, could have significant repercussions on the U.S. political and legislative scene.
Vladimir Putin
Controversial Relationship:
Trump’s connection with Russian President Vladimir Putin has been one of the most contentious aspects of his career.
During his first term, Trump repeatedly praised Putin and was accused of being “soft on Russia,” particularly during the 2018 Helsinki summit, where he contradicted his own intelligence agencies regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election.
In his second term, Trump has hardened his stance: he called the war in Ukraine a “ridiculous tragedy” destroying Russia and threatened sanctions if Moscow doesn’t end the conflict. However, Putin has continued to praise Trump, even backing his false claim of winning the 2020 election and calling him a “real man” after surviving an assassination attempt in 2024.
Volodymyr Zelensky
Heated Exchange:
In February, a fiery confrontation occurred between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky.
Trump and Zelensky engaged in a verbal altercation in the Oval Office of the White House, an unprecedented scene where Trump demanded his guest to be “grateful.”
Trump asserted that Zelensky was unprepared for peace and disrespected his country. Meanwhile, Zelensky stated he owed Trump no apology.
“I respect President Trump and I respect the American people,” Zelensky said in an interview with conservative Fox News aired Friday night. He claimed they had been “very open and very honest” in their conversation, stating that “no one wants to end the war more than we do.”
El presidente de Ucrania, Volodimir Zelenski, tuvo una confrontación con su homólogo estadounidense, Donald Trump y el vicepresidente JD. Vance
Mike Pence
Impactful Break:
One of the most significant internal political breaks in the U.S. has been Trump’s distancing from his former Vice President, Mike Pence.
After the January 6, 2021 Capitol riots, Trump publicly criticized Pence for refusing to block the election results’ certification.
Pence, in turn, stated that “history will judge” Trump’s role in that episode, marking a clear rift between them despite being running mates in 2016 and 2020.
Claudia Sheinbaum
Harsh Words:
Trump has also had harsh words for Mexico’s new president, Claudia Sheinbaum.
He has criticized and questioned her ability to curb migration and drug trafficking to the U.S., leading to tariffs on Mexican steel and aluminum exports.
In April of this year, Trump offered to send U.S. troops to Mexico to combat drug cartels, accusing Sheinbaum of being “afraid” of them. He also threatened more tariffs or sanctions if Mexico failed to meet its commitment under the 1944 Water Treaty.
Though Sheinbaum has avoided direct confrontations, her government has maintained a distant stance towards Washington since Trump’s return to the White House.
