1. Feud Erupts Over Policy Dispute (June 5, 2025)
- The conflict ignited after Elon Musk condemned Trump’s key domestic policy bill as a “disgusting abomination,” citing a Congressional Budget Office estimate that it would inflate the U.S. deficit by $2.4 trillion.
- During a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump expressed dismay, stating, “Elon and I had a great relationship. I don’t know if we will anymore.” He speculated that Musk’s anger stemmed from the bill’s cuts to electric vehicle subsidies, which affected Tesla.
### 2. Social Media Spat Escalates (June 5, 2025)
- Musk retaliated on X, denying prior knowledge of the bill and alleging it was passed “in the dead of night” without transparency. He added, “Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House, and Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate. Such ingratitude!”
- Trump fired back on Truth Social, claiming he dismissed Musk from his advisory role due to his “wearing thin” patience and accusing him of going “CRAZY” over the EV mandate cuts. He also threatened to revoke Musk’s lucrative government contracts with SpaceX and Tesla.
### 3. Musk’s Explosive Epstein Claim (June 5, 2025)
- Musk intensified the feud by insinuating that Trump’s name appeared in sealed Jeffrey Epstein documents—implying this was why they remained hidden. He provided no evidence, making the allegation particularly inflammatory.
- The White House dismissed the claim as a reaction to Musk’s policy frustrations.
### 4. Financial and Operational Threats
- Trump proposed slashing Musk’s subsidies and contracts, tweeting, “The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts.” Tesla’s stock plunged 14.3%, erasing $150 billion in market value.
- Musk threatened to decommission SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, vital for NASA’s ISS missions, though he later hinted at reconsidering.
### 5. Personal Attacks and Political Maneuvering
- Musk resurfaced Trump’s 2012–2013 tweets criticizing debt ceiling hikes, sarcastically praising them as “wise words” to underscore Trump’s policy reversal.
- He floated the idea of impeaching Trump in favor of VP JD Vance and polled his 220 million X followers on forming a new centrist political party.
### 6. Public and Media Frenzy
- The clash went viral, with memes likening it to “Mean Girls” or Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar. Hashtags like “THE GIRLS ARE FIGHTING” trended, with users joking about the “epic breakup.”
- Ashley St. Clair (who claims to be the mother of one of Musk’s children) offered Trump “breakup advice” on X.
- Democrats seized the moment, with Rep. Melanie Stansbury quoting Musk’s critiques in a House speech, comparing the feud to “Real Housewives” drama.
### 7. Broader Political Fallout
- The rift exposed tensions between Musk’s tech-focused reformism and Trump’s populist MAGA base, with allies like Steve Bannon pushing for probes into Musk’s immigration status.
- Analysts warned the feud could fracture Republican unity ahead of midterms, given Musk’s $288–300 million in 2024 campaign support for Trump. While the spat doesn’t directly impact the bill’s Senate fate, it could reshape political alliances.
### Context & Aftermath
- Background: The feud shattered an alliance forged in July 2024 after Musk endorsed Trump post-assassination attempt. Musk’s role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and $250–300 million in donations had cemented their ties—until Musk’s May 30, 2025 departure.
- Latest (June 6, 2025): Trump’s team reportedly scheduled a call to de-escalate, but the public vitriol suggests lasting damage. Trump downplayed tensions (*“It’s going very well”*), while Musk signaled openness to reconciliation.
- Impact: Tesla’s stock crash and Musk’s SpaceX threats raised alarms about U.S. space operations. The spectacle has dominated headlines, sidelining other political developments as Democrats watch warily.