The row between Donald Trump and Elon Musk was triggered by months of intense stress on both sides, and the public battle between the U.S. president and the billionaire donor needs to stop, Musk's father told Reuters on Monday.

"They've been under incredible stress for five months, give them a break," Errol Musk said while attending a forum by Putin's ultranationalist ally in Moscow.

The spectacular public feud last week between Elon Musk and President Donald Trump has laid bare how much Musk may lose if their rocky relationship continues to unravel.