Key Points:
- Elon Musk apologized on X for social media posts about President Donald Trump that “went too far” during their feud.
- Musk’s posts, including false claims about Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, were deleted after fueling conflict.
- Trump threatened to cut SpaceX and Tesla contracts, while Musk briefly threatened to decommission the Dragon spacecraft.
On June 4, 2025, Elon Musk expressed regret for social media attacks on President Donald Trump. “I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week,” he wrote on X. “They went too far.” The feud, which erupted over a GOP spending bill, ended their alliance. Musk had led Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), aiming to cut $160 billion from the 2026 budget. The clash, as reported by Reuters, initially hurt Tesla’s stock, which fell 8% but later recovered.
Feud Over Spending Bill
The conflict began when Musk opposed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” a multitrillion-dollar tax and spending package. In a CBS News interview, Musk said it “undermines” the goals of DOGE. On X, he called it a “budget-busting abomination,” claiming it would add $2.4 trillion to the deficit, per the Congressional Budget Office. Trump’s team disputed this, per Fox News.
Musk’s posts, including a deleted claim tying Trump to Jeffrey Epstein, escalated tensions—another deleted post supported impeaching Trump for JD Vance, per NBC News.
Trump warned Musk of “serious consequences” for funding Democrats against the bill’s supporters, according to CNN. He hinted at reviewing SpaceX and Tesla contracts, worth $19 billion and $10 billion, respectively, according to NASA and the Department of Energy.
Musk briefly threatened to decommission SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, which is critical for ISS missions, but retracted the threat, according to The Washington Post.
On X, @elonmusk clarified he wouldn’t halt NASA work. The feud played out on X and Trump’s Truth Social, alarming investors.
Market and Political Impact on Tesla
Tesla’s shares dropped 8% on June 3, 2025, after Trump’s threats, per Yahoo Finance—SpaceX’s $400 billion valuation faced risks, given its NASA contracts. Musk, who spent $250 million on Trump’s 2024 campaign through America PAC, according to OpenSecrets, has lost GOP influence.
On X, @BillAckman urged reconciliation, citing Musk’s role in Trump’s win. House Speaker Mike Johnson told CNBC the feud could split the Republican Party. The bill, now in the Senate, may face cuts by July 4, 2025, per Politico.
By June 7, tensions eased. Musk deleted inflammatory posts, including those related to Epstein and impeachment, according to Bloomberg. Trump said on June 2, 2025, that he’d keep Starlink at the White House, according to AP News. Trump told NBC News he’d be open to Musk calling, softening his earlier stance. While discussing Musk’s regret, @mkraju from X regarded it as a move towards peace.
Nevertheless, Musk’s withdrawal from the DOGE project and the rumors about his possible 2026 election campaign have changed the minds of Republicans, who are now worried, according to Reuters.
The consequences of the feud remain. Musk’s acceptance of the fault and his apology may not be enough to restore the relationship, given Trump’s contract threats, according to Forbes’ opinion.
Tesla is under scrutiny after On X revealed lost electric vehicle credits, prompting @SciGuySpace to urge Musk to prioritize NASA partnerships. The Senate’s bill revisions could appease Musk, but the rift may reshape GOP politics, according to The Hill.
