Elon Musk vs. the world: Public feuds, lawsuits and backlashes in 2025

Elon Musk has never avoided controversy, but in 2025, it felt less like headlines and more like a full-blown collision course with nearly everyone around him.

From courtrooms and regulators to political allies and even neighbours, Musk spent much of the year juggling lawsuits, public feuds and mounting backlash, all while running some of the world’s most influential companies.

Lawsuits that defined the year

Legal trouble followed Musk from the very start of 2025. 

SEC lawsuit against Musk

In January, the US Securities and Exchange Commission sued him over allegations that he failed to properly disclose his growing stake in Twitter (now X), in 2022, allowing him to buy shares at artificially low prices. 

The case revived scrutiny of Musk’s past market conduct just as his influence over public discourse continued to expand.

Lawsuit against Musk and DOGE

A month later, a federal judge allowed a lawsuit against Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to proceed. 

Filed by Democratic attorneys general from 14 states, the suit accused Musk of illegally exerting power over government operations, accessing sensitive data systems and terminating federal employees without proper authority.

Musk-OpenAI lawsuit

Similarly, April brought another major legal battle when OpenAI sued Musk, accusing him of attempting to slow the company’s progress through “bad-faith tactics.” 

The clash deepened an already bitter dispute between Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, with a federal judge later setting a March 2026 trial date.

Tesla lawsuit

Notably, Tesla also faced shareholder lawsuits in August after investors accused the company and Musk of downplaying risks tied to its robotaxi programme, following troubling public test runs now under federal investigation. 

The same month, Musk threatened legal action against Apple on behalf of xAI, alleging antitrust violations, a case a Texas judge later allowed to move forward.

Public feuds and political fallout

Musk-Altman feud

Musk’s rivalry with Sam Altman escalated further in 2025, spilling onto X and into court filings, turning a once-shared vision for AI into a high-profile Silicon Valley feud. 

Trump-Musk fallout

His political alliances also unraveled. After initially supporting Donald Trump and leading DOGE, Musk publicly criticised Trump’s policies, mocked his flagship legislation and later accused him of questionable associations, triggering a dramatic and very public fallout.

Backlashes on multiple fronts

Beyond lawsuits and feuds, backlash followed Musk across borders and industries. In the UK, lawmakers condemned him for calling for the release of far-right activist Tommy Robinson, adding to tensions with European governments. 

However, at home, Tesla faced intense criticism over a massive Cybertruck recall tied to safety issues, worsening investor anxiety as the company’s stock slid sharply.

xAI drew fresh controversy in October after launching explicit AI chatbots, prompting criticism from regulators and ethicists concerned about reputational and social risks. 

Even Musk’s personal life drew scrutiny, with Austin-area neighbors protesting unauthorized security structures at his home and climate activists slamming his private jet travel during a luxury summer trip to Canada.

The year, 2025, had cemented Musk’s reputation as both a transformative innovator and a lightning rod for conflict. 

Whether this turbulent year ultimately weakens Musk’s influence or merely reinforces his defiant public persona is a question that will likely carry well into 2026.