ensions between the country’s leader and the tech tycoon are far from over. After the politician spoke, the Tesla CEO responded with a brief comment.
While flying on June 7, 2025, President Donald Trump was asked how he felt about Elon Musk and whether they had spoken since their disagreements became public.
“Honestly, I’ve been so busy working on China, working on Russia, working on Iran, working on so many…I’m not thinking about Elon. I just wish him well,” said Trump. His former ally replied in the comments under the clip posted on X, writing:
“Likewise.”
Only a day before, during a morning call, the president seemed unfazed when questioned about his ongoing clash with Musk. ABC News reached him to ask if he still intended to speak with the former Senior Advisor later that day and he responded:
“You mean the man who has lost his mind?”
Trump added that he was “not particularly” interested in a conversation at this time. While Musk might want to connect, the politician made it clear he is not prepared to do so. His calm tone during the call offered a glimpse into a deeper side of the situation.
People close to the president shared that he seemed more sad than angry about the split with Musk. One adviser who spent time with him the night before described him as “bummed” over how things had turned out.
Though emotions ran high around Musk, Trump’s mood changed when another issue came up during a separate interview. During an interview on June 5, he was asked about the harsh remarks made by the former head of the Department of Government Efficiency. Staying composed, Trump said:
“Nothing catches me by surprise. Nothing.”
He noted that the numbers were through the roof, the stock market was up, billions were coming in from tariffs, and his poll ratings had reached their highest point. With a light tone, he added there wasn’t much else to say.
After pointing to strong poll numbers and a booming market, Trump had yet another issue to face that week. As previously reported, Musk took to X with a stream of posts aimed at the president. The messages included criticism over policies, personal digs, and some unverified claims.
1. Tech Billionaire Takes Aim at “Big, Beautiful Bill”
On June 3, Musk called the proposed piece of legislation a “disgusting abomination” and condemned the inclusion of excessive spending.
His attacks escalated the next day when he called it the “Debt Slavery Bill,” echoing Senator Rand Paul’s frustrations with the $5 trillion debt ceiling hike.
On June 5, Musk added sarcastically, “In the entire history of civilization, there has never been legislation that both [sic] big and beautiful. Everyone knows this!”
He labeled the bill filled with unfair cuts to electric vehicle and solar incentives, while preserving oil and gas subsidies. “Slim and beautiful is the way,” he concluded in his post.
Elon Musk during a news conference with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 30, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Elon Musk during a news conference with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 30, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
2. “Trump Would Have Lost Without Me”
Later that day, Musk claimed that Trump owed his electoral success to him. In a blunt post, the Tesla CEO stated, “Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate.”
His remarks came in response to a clip of Trump, posted by Autism Capital, expressing disappointment over Musk’s opposition to the “Big, Beautiful Bill.”
In that clip, Trump said, “I would have won Pennsylvania, won it by a lot […] I’m very disappointed with Elon because Elon knew the inner workings of this bill. […] I’ve helped Elon a lot.”
The president continued by accusing Musk of exhibiting a form of Trump Derangement Syndrome after leaving the White House and suggested, “Some embrace it and some become hostile.” Trump also believes that Musk only started having problems with the new legislation when he realized it would result in funding cuts for the EV mandate.
3. “Trump Is in the Epstein Files”
Several hours later, Musk escalated his attacks by lobbing a startling accusation: “@realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!”
Shortly afterward, the tech billionaire responded to a video of Trump partying with the notorious Jeffrey Epstein in 1992 by posting a simple “🤨.”
The claim immediately caused uproar online. Many fans and viewers responded with disbelief and speculation. One person asked, “Idk i don’t work for the administration and if he is why didn’t Biden Harris release his name to destroy his campaign. They could’ve redacted everything that showed everything for democrats and only their enemies but didn’t. [sic]”
Another added, “Also… if this were true, wouldn’t have the Democrats released it?? Granted a bunch of them are on it too. [sic]”
Donald Trump, Melania Knauss (now Trump), Jeffrey Epstein, and Ghislaine Maxwell at the Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, on February 12, 2000 | Source: Getty Images
Donald Trump, Melania Knauss (now Trump), Jeffrey Epstein, and Ghislaine Maxwell at the Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, on February 12, 2000 | Source: Getty Images
Skepticism continued as one person commented, “You would think if Trump was all over those files the democrats would have taken full advantage especially as close as they perceive the last election. But also I don’t take Musk as a liar. This is weird. [sic]”
Another wrote, “If that was true the democrats would have made the list public years ago.” Some questioned Musk’s motives more directly.
Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump at the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, 1997 | Source: Getty Images
Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump at the Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, 1997 | Source: Getty Images
One person on X said, “Looks like a defamation suit against you to be honest. If he was in the Epstein files Biden’s AG would have gleefully released it before the election. Is this really the best you can do to be vindictive cuz you mad? [sic]”
Another noted, “So you think the Democrats withheld the Epstein Files knowing Donald Trump was in there? No way! They would have released that in a New York minute and blasted him. It would have been front page headline news around the world & that would have been the platform the Democrats ran on.”
Comments on Facebook echoed the same tone. One remarked, “If that was the case…demos would have used to keep him from running again.” Another described it as, “So bizarre. Sounds like a tantrum.”
One person mocked, “Elon’s being a HUGE cry baby. He couldn’t handle the heat and he wanted all kinds of cuts and special deals. Trump said no and Elon decided to stomp his feet and cry. 😂 [sic].”
Donald Trump and Elon Musk at the UFC 309 event at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2024, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
Donald Trump and Elon Musk at the UFC 309 event at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2024, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
4. Musk Backs Call for Presidential Impeachment
In a thread stemming from his Epstein accusation, a netizen named Ian Miles Cheong asked, “President vs Elon. Who wins? My money’s on Elon. Trump should be impeached and JD Vance should replace him.” Musk replied with one word: “Yes.”
His brief response was enough to signal support for removing Trump from office, a move that would fundamentally reshape the GOP.
5. Dragon Spacecraft Shutdown
In response to Trump’s suggestion that axing Musk’s contracts would be a cost-saving measure, the SpaceX CEO declared the end of an era: “In light of the President’s statement about cancellation of my government contracts, @SpaceX will begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately.”
This marked a significant development, with Musk implying that his company would retreat from one of NASA’s most visible public-private partnerships.
The President Responds
Donald Trump issued several responses on Truth Social throughout June 5, pushing back against Musk’s claims while saying that his actions were fiscally responsible and strategically necessary.
Around 2 p.m., the president stated that Musk was “wearing thin,” so he told him to leave. He then canceled the Tesla CEO’s electric car mandate, a move that Musk was supposedly aware of. Despite knowing this was coming for months, the tech billionaire “went CRAZY!” according to Trump.
Donald Trump and Elon Musk talk ringside during the UFC 309 event at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2024, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
Donald Trump and Elon Musk talk ringside during the UFC 309 event at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2024, in New York City | Source: Getty Images
In a second post, the U.S. leader asserted, “The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts. I was always surprised that Biden didn’t do it!” This message prompted Musk’s threat regarding the Dragon Spacecraft program.
Later that afternoon, Trump returned to defending the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” calling it “one of the Greatest Bills ever presented to Congress.” He also cited a “Record Cut in Expenses, $1.6 Trillion Dollars, and the Biggest Tax Cut ever given.”
Furthermore, the president warned of dire consequences if the bill failed, including a “68% Tax Increase,” and emphasized his commitment to putting the country on a “Path of Greatness.”
That same day, while answering questions at the Oval Office, Trump elaborated on the falling out with Musk. He acknowledged the billionaire’s previous support and fondly recalled their past interactions.
Elon Musk with his son X Æ A-Xii and US President Donald Trump during the signing of executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 11, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Elon Musk with his son X Æ A-Xii and US President Donald Trump during the signing of executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 11, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
However, the president also stressed that the disagreement began over the removal of EV subsidies and a rejected NASA nominee. “He wanted that person… and we said no,” Trump noted, adding that the candidate was “totally Democrat,” which he deemed inappropriate.
He also talked about Musk’s emotional ties to his time in the Oval Office: “You saw a man who was very happy when he stood behind the Oval Desk.” Trump continued, saying that while he got along with the Tesla CEO in the past, that dynamic may have changed.
“Look, Elon and I had a great relationship. I don’t know if we will anymore,” he said, concluding with a defense of the new legislation: “I am right about the ‘Great, Big, Beautiful Bill.’ We go to ‘Great, Big, Beautiful Bill’ because that’s what it is.”
