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.

Musk ratcheted up his rhetoric against the legislation this week, branding it a “disgusting abomination” before attacking Trump directly, calling for him to be impeached, threatening to start a rival party, and suggesting he had links with the disgraced financier and child trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

Here's what to know about the feud between Donald Trump and Elon Musk over the president's "Big Beautiful Bill."