President Donald Trump’s second year in office was marked by a series of high-visibility disputes with prominent figures across technology, entertainment and political spheres, illustrating the combative tone of his leadership in 2025. One of the most widely observed ruptures occurred with technology entrepreneur Elon Musk after the billionaire publicly criticised the Republican “One Big, Beautiful Bill” tax and spending package.

Once a supporter and brief collaborator in the Trump administration, Musk escalated his criticisms on social media, prompting Trump to threaten to withdraw government contracts and prompting a flurry of barbed exchanges before their relationship gradually thawed later in the year at a memorial event for conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Another defining feud unfolded with late-night television host Jimmy Kimmel, who became a vocal critic of Trump following a series of monologues about the administration’s actions and rhetoric.

Kimmel’s sharp commentary, including a widely broadcast Christmas address in the United Kingdom in which he said “tyranny is booming,” intensified their dispute.

The conflict was further amplified after ABC briefly suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” amid pressure following the host’s remarks on the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a move that drew widespread reaction and highlighted tensions between the White House and entertainment media.

Trump also engaged in extended confrontations with political figures such as California Governor Gavin Newsom, whom he criticised over wildfire responses, immigration enforcement and court challenges to federal deployments.

The two traded sharp rhetorical barbs throughout the year, reflecting broader partisan divides.

Additionally, Trump’s relationship with former ally Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene deteriorated after disputes over the release of sensitive files, with Trump withdrawing his endorsement and publicly rebuking Greene.

Tensions with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell persisted as Trump repeatedly urged policy shifts on interest rates and criticised Powell’s stewardship of monetary policy, at times using pointed language on social media.

Beyond individual personalities, Trump’s rhetoric also extended to broader political opposition, including Democratic leaders over issues such as federal funding and the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, which played out amid intense negotiation and strategic disagreements.

These feuds, spanning sectors from Silicon Valley to Hollywood to state politics, underscored the deeply personalised and media-driven nature of Trump’s public engagements in 2025 and shaped national conversations about leadership, political discourse and institutional boundaries.