In a week where tech and politics collided dramatically, Elon Musk extended a rare public apology after a social media feud with former President Donald Trump. What began as policy criticism escalated into personal jabs, political threats, and even conspiracy claims. The fallout underscores deeper tensions between Silicon Valley power and Washington influence.
Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and a Political Fallout of Tech and Power
The friendship of Elon Musk and Donald Trump has never been easy to predict. From uncomfortable political endorsements to public reconciliation and retribution, their dealings sometimes seemed to unfold as though on a reality show in real time. But what transpired over the last week has taken the Musk-Trump dynamic to another level entirely – this time in the public arena on X (formerly Twitter), and with significant political and financial implications.
The most recent dust-up centered on a bitter spat that escalated into political threats, social media jousting and even conspiracy-laden allegations. Well, now Elon Musk is making what some consider to be a surprising and rare move coming from the billionaire tech mogul – an apology.
A Rare Apology from Elon Musk
On Wednesday, Musk wrote on X: “I wish to express a belated apology to the office of the presidency. I recognize that my recent actions don’t perform the necessary duty of the presidency, which is to unite a divided country. They went too far.”
The timing and the tone were a surprise, given that Musk is typically defiant online. For all his lack of a filter and proclivity to double down, he this time opted to walk back after a caustic back-and-forth with the ex-president.
The apology followed a cryptic threat from Trump. The former president told NBC that Musk would suffer “severe consequences” if reports that he is endorsing candidates who are challenging Republicans backed by Trump in the midterms election are true.
“If he does, he’ll have to suffer the consequence,” Trump said – although he did not explain what the consequences would be.
Bill That Incited Feud
The pivot point in the relationship occurred when Musk publicly attacked Trump’s principal legislation: the so called “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB). The measure is composed of an array of aggressive tax cuts and new spending. Musk claims, that the bill would heap unsustainable debt onto US citizens.
Slamming the bill as a “disgusting abomination,” Musk claimed it would balloon the national debt by around 3 trillion US dollars (AUD 4.62 trillion) – something tantamount to “fiscal insanity” and harmful to long-term economic health.
Trump didn’t take kindly to this criticism.
Not long after Musk expressed his disdain publicly, he stepped down from his advising position on the Department of Government Efficiency (DoGE), a board he sat on to recommend modernizations in government systems. His departure kicked off an even more vicious falling out.
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A Retaliation from Trump
In response to, Trump reportedly threatened to withdraw federal subsidies and contracts from Musk’s projects, which include Tesla and SpaceX. Musk shot back, noting what he believed to be his influence in Trump’s 2016 election.
“Were it not for my actions, Trump would have almost certainly lost the election (according to conventional wisdom, and his own admission), the House would most likely be gone (according to the polls), and the Republicans would probably be no better than 51-49 in the Senate,” Musk posted on X, in which he claimed to have possessed extraordinary business power that crossed the line into politics.
He punctuated that claim with a sharp jab: “Such ingratitude.”
Musk didn’t stop there. He escalated his criticism by reposting posts that were openly hostile toward Trump – one of which even called for the former president’s impeachment.
Trump’s Counterpunch and Online Meltdown
Trump responded on his favored platform, with a post that said, “Elon was ‘inchy’ and I just asked him to leave […] he went bonkers!”
Trump’s tone was still combative, but his replies appeared to downplay Musk’s political relevance.
Then, the situation escalated further. In a now-deleted X post, Musk went so far as to posit an incendiary theory about Trump and the notorious Epstein files. He claimed the former president’s name was in records about Jeffrey Epstein, and that the records were being kept under wraps for this reason – “we’re a lot of people that they felt should not be out there,” he said – despite campaign pledges from Trump to release them.
“Time to drop the really big bomb:@realDonaldTrump in the Epstein files. That is the actual reason they have not been released. Have a nice day, DJT!” Musk had written.
The post was subsequently deleted, but not before it prompted a maelstrom of speculation and controversy on the internet.
EV Tax Credits and the National Budget – The Disagreement
Fueling the fire seemed to be Trump’s decision to eliminate tax credits for electric vehicles – a move that hits Tesla, one of Musk’s highest-profile companies, right in the gut.
Musk was frustrated by the development, and he made his feelings clear during a May 29 interview with CBS:
“I was, like, really quite, you know, disappointing to see the – massive… spending bill passed that, you know, there was, you know, it doesn’t even have – you’ve got no – nothing…It reduces the budget deficit but still, reduces the budget deficit but it doesn’t reduce it, it increases it out of about the doge team.”
The comments represented broader grievances over perceived fiscal malfeasance and competing priorities within the administration.
Trump’s Parting Words
In an interview with Bloomberg News tonight, the US President responded to a question on Musk’s decision to leave his advisory role by appearing to brush off the split.
“Elon’s really not leaving. He’s going to be back and forth, I believe, I feel.”
It was a mixed tone – dismissive and at similar time possibly harboring hope for the possibility of reconciliation in the future.
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Why This Matters
Their feud is more than just an egotistical clash. It is a meditation on the convergence of technology and politics and influence in America today. Elon Musk, whose influence now stretches across space travel, electric cars, social media and even AI, is no longer just a business magnate; he is a political influencer.
Trump remains a dominant force in the Republican Party, and a potential 2024 contender. When two such figures clash, the ripples extend far beyond internet drama.
Conclusion
It is much more than a social media spat’: Elon Musk and Donald Trump feud goes to the next level. It exposes raw fault lines between private sector leaders and political figures over ideology, governance and sway. Will Musk’s sorry-not-sorry message help thaw tensions? It’s not clear, but the damage – to his reputation, political relationships and possibly his bottom line – probably already has been done.
For the time being, Musk’s public display of contrition could serve as a temporary ceasefire to the dust-up, though the larger discussion around economic policies, personal power dynamics and the behavior of powerful people rages on.
FAQs
Q1: What caused the riff between Elon Musk and Donald Trump?
A: The spat started after Musk shat on Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” and called it a “gross abomination” of a bill that would add 3 trillion in national debt.
Q2: How did Trump react to Musk’s criticism?
A: Trump threatened to shut down government subsidies and contracts connected to Musk’s companies and warned of “serious consequences” if Musk backed the opposition.
Q3: What prompted Elon Musk to apologize?
A: Musk XPersonally, I do not have a lot of posts that I regret, no I do not have any. Q.Do you have any posts you regret? A: Musk XWell, you know in some cases I wish I hadn’t made some of the tweets that I made, particularly last week, went too far when I’ve gotten, you know, upset about something,” Musk said during the 30-minute long interview, point specifically to attacks and conspiracy claims.
Q4: Did Elon Musk accuse Trump of being in the Epstein files?
A: Musk said Trump was in the Epstein files and claimed the administration was covering them up, though he later removed the post.
Q5: How did the EV tax credits factor into the spat?
A: By cutting back electric vehicle tax credits, Trump had called Tesla out specifically, creating another shade of tension between the two – especially given that Musk had been supportive of Trump’s policies in the past.
Reference
Elon Musk expresses ‘regret’ over last week’s X posts
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