As Trump threatens to “take a look” at deporting his former advisor Elon Musk, it begs the question: what’s the best way to deal with a fallout at work? Is there any way to make amends?
The most talked-about breakup of the year has just gotten messier. On the back of heavy criticism by Elon Musk over Donald Trump’s spending bill, which he has described as a “disgusting abomination”, the 79-year-old president took to Truth Social to threaten his former advisor, writing: “Elon may get more subsidy than any human being in history… Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard, look at this? BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!”
Then, when asked by reporters on July 1 if he was planning to deport Elon, Trump responded: “We’ll have to take a look. We might have to put DOGE on Elon… The monster that might have to go back and eat Elon.”
It’s pretty clear: neither are handling the fall out well. But before we cast too much judgement, it can be hard to deal with falling out with a co-worker. On top of deadlines, dealing with tough bosses and the mundanities of the office, losing a treasured work friend can bring out the worst in us.
Relationship expert and founder of So What? Hope Flynn says: “Falling out with your work bestie can be unexpectedly upsetting – and well, a real gut punch at times. They’re often the person who shares your in-jokes, makes the toughest days – and Monday mornings – bearable and knows exactly when you need a cuppa.
“So when tension creeps in whether over a disagreement or just a build-up of stress it can feel like more than just an awkward moment at work. The good news is that most work friendships can bounce back with a little space, honesty and care.”
Luckily, Hope has three ways that you can try and fix things with your work bestie.
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How to make amends with your work bestie
Tip 1: “Give it a breather: Let things cool off before diving into a conversation. A bit of space can help both of you reflect and approach things more calmly.”
Tip 2: “Make the first move: A friendly message, a shared break or even a small act of kindness can open the door to reconnecting without pressure.”
Tip 3: “Agree on boundaries: If the fallout was over something sensitive like politics or personal opinions then it’s perfectly ok to agree to disagree and steer clear of that topic.”
But what if the friendship doesn’t bounce back?
Hope says: “Unfortunately, not all relationships can be mended and that’s ok too. If the closeness can’t be restored, focus on maintaining a respectful and professional dynamic. You don’t need to be best friends to work well together.”
One of the best ways to move forward is to keep things civil. As Hope says: “Aim for polite and neutral interactions. Avoid gossiping or rehashing the fallout with others at work as this could make things trickier.”
She also suggests leaning into other friendships or supportive colleagues who bring you positivity, as well as prioritising your own wellbeing. She says: “It’s normal to feel a sense of loss. Make time for things outside of work that boost your mood and confidence.”
But, ultimately, it’s important to remember that some things are just meant to be. Hope says: “Friendships change especially in high-pressure environments. Sometimes, letting go with kindness is the healthiest way to move on.”
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