8 months ago
Political Break-ups and Make-ups of 2025
In 2025, there were several notable political break-ups and make-ups.
Elon Musk and Donald Trump's friendship ended badly after Musk left Trump's administration and criticized his tax bill.
Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana tried to form a new party but couldn't agree on details.
Angela Rayner resigned as Labour's deputy leader over a stamp duty controversy, and there are rumors she might challenge Keir Starmer for leadership.
The UK and EU improved their relationship, with UK students set to rejoin the Erasmus program.
French President Emmanuel Macron asked Sébastien Lecornu to return as prime minister just days after he resigned.
Finally, Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping worked to normalize relations between India and China, resuming direct flights and simplifying the visa process.
Elon Musk and Donald Trump's 'bromance' ended in public acrimony after Musk left Trump's administration and criticized his tax bill.
Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana failed to form a new left-wing party due to disputes over membership and leadership.
Angela Rayner resigned as Labour's deputy leader over a stamp duty controversy, with rumors persisting of a potential leadership challenge against Keir Starmer.
The UK and EU agreed on a new deal, with UK students set to rejoin the Erasmus program from 2027.
French President Emmanuel Macron asked Sébastien Lecornu to return as prime minister with 'carte blanche' to form a government.
- Who
- Political figures including Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Jeremy Corbyn, Zarah Sultana, Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner, Emmanuel Macron, Sébastien Lecornu, Narendra Modi, Xi Jinping, and the UK and EU
- What
- Significant political break-ups and reconciliations in 2025
- Where
- United States, United Kingdom, France, India, and China
- When
- Throughout 2025, with specific events in May, July, and September
- Why
- Due to political disagreements, personal conflicts, and geopolitical shifts
Key facts
- Elon Musk and Donald Trump
- Ended in public acrimony after Musk left Trump's administration and criticized his tax bill
- Zarah Sultana and Jeremy Corbyn
- Failed to form a new party due to disputes over membership and leadership
- Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner
- Rayner resigned over stamp duty controversy, rumors of leadership challenge persist
- UK and EU
- Agreed on a new deal, UK students to rejoin Erasmus from 2027
- Emmanuel Macron and Sébastien Lecornu
- Lecornu returned as prime minister with 'carte blanche' to form a government
- Narendra Modi and Xi Jinping
- Normalized relations, resumed direct flights, simplified visa process
Quotes
Elon Musk
CEO of Tesla and X, former ally of Donald Trump
“Trump's tax bill was a 'massive, courageous, pork-filled' tax bill, which he called a 'disgusting abomination'”
theweek.com
“I loved Trump 'as much as a straight man can love another man'”
theweek.com
Zarah Sultana
Independent MP and former Labour Party member
“They were like Liam and Noel Gallagher, the famously feuding Oasis brothers who patched things up for their reunion tour”
theweek.com
“She had been frozen out by a 'sexist boys’ club' of Corbyn and four pro-Gaza independent MPs”
theweek.com
BBC
A British public service broadcaster
“Xi Jinping used his 'favourite catchphrase for China-India relations': 'The dragon and the elephant should come together'”
theweek.com
“The thawing of relations was 'turbocharged by decisions taken thousands of miles away in Washington DC'”
theweek.com
Fortune
A business magazine
“It was 'perhaps the most widely predicted break-up in American political history'”
theweek.com
The New York Times
A major American newspaper
“The 'speed of the fallout was breathtaking' and 'every bit as lowdown, vindictive, personal, petty, operatic, childish, consequential, messy and public as many had always expected it would be'”
theweek.com
Keir Starmer
Leader of the Labour Party and UK Opposition Leader
“Angela Rayner had been a 'trusted colleague and a true friend for many years'”
theweek.com
Angela Rayner
Deputy Leader of the Labour Party and former UK Secretary of State for Education
“She had 'not gone away'”
theweek.com
Kemi Badenoch
Leader of the Conservative Party and UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade
“The deal was a 'total sell-out'”
theweek.com
Sébastien Lecornu
Prime Minister of France
“Everyone wants to 'push their own agenda and fly their ideological flag'”
theweek.com
