It may have been one of the most predictable break-ups in history. But for a few brief months US President Donald Trump and tech tycoon Elon Musk were inseparable.

Here are some key moments before the marriage of two huge egos imploded over Musk's criticisms of Trump's "big, beautiful" budget mega-bill.

- Jumping on stage -

The world's richest man literally jumped for joy when he first stumped for Republican candidate Trump on the campaign trail on October, 5 2024.

The South African-born Musk leapt in the air like one of his Space X rockets as he joined Trump on stage in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump escaped an assassination attempt three months earlier.

"As you can see, I'm not just MAGA, I'm dark MAGA," Trump told the crowd, tipping his all-black "Make America Great Again" hat.

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