WASHINGTON D.C. – The bromance is dead. Long live the bitter, no-holds-barred feud. What began as an unlikely but powerful alliance between Donald Trump and Elon Musk has spectacularly unraveled, culminating in a jaw-dropping public spectacle this week.
Thursday, June 5, 2025, marked the tipping point, with the tech titan and United States President trading brutal jabs that veered from political policy to accusations concerning the infamous Jeffrey Epstein files. At the heart of it all? Musk’s furious disdain for Trump’s signature “Big Beautiful Bill.”
The ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ backlash: Musk’s fiery exit from Trump’s orbit
The first cracks in their seemingly ironclad bond appeared when Elon Musk, a significant supporter of Trump’s 2024 campaign and a recent White House advisor, unleashed a blistering attack on Trump’s cherished “Big Beautiful Bill.”
This sprawling tax and spending package, intended as a legislative crown jewel, was savaged by Musk as a “disgusting abomination.” He publicly warned that the “pork-filled” bill would balloon the federal deficit.
His outcry intensified after his abrupt departure from the Trump administration, where he had been leading the Department of Government Efficiency (or DOGE, as it was affectionately known).
President Trump, clearly stung by the betrayal, quickly hit back from the Oval Office. He accused his former ally of hypocrisy, claiming Musk “knew the inner workings of this bill” and only found fault after leaving his advisory post.
Trump even suggested Musk’s sudden opposition was a calculated move, fueled by the bill’s proposed rollbacks of electric vehicle tax credits that directly impact his company, Tesla.
Musk wasn’t having it. He swiftly retorted on X (formerly Twitter), flatly denying any prior knowledge of the bill’s specifics, asserting it was “passed in the dead of night so fast that almost no one in Congress could even read it!”
Then came the audacious claim that truly set the internet ablaze: “Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House… Such ingratitude.” This assertion of single-handedly delivering Trump’s 2024 victory was pure gasoline on an already raging inferno.
The Epstein files bombshell: Musk’s unverified claim shakes Washington
Just when it seemed the feud couldn’t get any wilder, Elon Musk dropped a bombshell that sent shockwaves through the political establishment: an unverified claim that Donald Trump is in the Epstein files.
“Time to drop the really big bomb: @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!”
Musk posted, adding cryptically, “Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out.” This inflammatory accusation, made without any presented evidence, instantly reignited speculation around the long-sealed Epstein documents and became a top trending news item across all platforms.
A once prominent financier with strong ties to celebrities and politicians, Epstein was first arrested in 2005 in Palm Beach, Florida, accused of sexually abusing underage girls. (here’s a detailed account of what exactly are Epstein files are about).
Trump’s retaliation: Threatening Musk’s multi-billion dollar contracts
The gloves are well and truly off, and the ramifications are already materialising. In a clear signal of potential governmental retaliation, President Trump openly threatened to sever Musk’s multi-billion dollar government contracts with SpaceX and Starlink.
“The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts,” Trump declared on Truth Social.
This move starkly underscores the high stakes of this billionaire feud, impacting not just political reputations but also significant financial interests.
The escalating rhetoric has already hit Musk where it hurts: his wallet. Tesla shares reportedly dipped after Trump’s initial public comments, illustrating the immediate financial impact of this very public spat.
As the world watches this unprecedented clash between two of its most powerful and flamboyant figures, the future of their shattered relationship, and the broader implications for US politics and the tech industry, remain deeply uncertain.
This Trump-Musk spat is far from over, promising more drama and significant developments in the days to come.
