Tesla boss backs down following extraordinary public meltdown that saw him brand president’s $2.4 trillion spending bill a ‘disgusting abomination’
Elon Musk has performed a dramatic climbdown, admitting he “regrets” some of his incendiary posts about Donald Trump that plunged the two most powerful men in America into an extraordinary public feud.
The billionaire tech mogul posted on X Wednesday morning: “I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far.”
The stunning admission comes after Musk deleted some of his most explosive claims over the weekend – including allegations that Trump appeared in Jeffrey Epstein’s files and his support for the president’s impeachment.
Tesla shares in Frankfurt immediately jumped 2.7% following Musk’s apology, suggesting investors are relieved the world’s richest man might be mending fences with the leader of the free world.
The meltdown that shocked Washington
The spectacular fallout between Trump and Musk erupted last Thursday over the president’s signature “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” – a massive $2.4 trillion tax and spending package that Musk branded a “disgusting abomination.
What started as a policy disagreement quickly descended into one of the most vicious public feuds in recent political history, with both men trading increasingly personal insults across their rival social media platforms.
Among Musk’s now-deleted posts:
- Claiming Trump appeared in the “files” of convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein
- Responding “yes” to a call for Trump’s impeachment
- Declaring “Without me, Trump would have lost the election”
- Calling the president “ungrateful” for not recognizing his campaign contributions
‘I’m very disappointed’
Trump fired back with equal venom, telling reporters in the Oval Office: “Look, Elon and I had a great relationship. I don’t know if we will anymore.”
The president suggested Musk was only upset because the bill removed Biden-era electric vehicle tax credits that benefited Tesla, adding: “Elon was ‘wearing thin,’ I asked him to leave, I went CRAZY!
In his most threatening salvo, Trump warned: “The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts.”
The £240 million elephant in the room
The feud was particularly shocking given Musk’s crucial role in Trump’s 2024 election victory. The SpaceX founder:
- Donated approximately $277 million (£240 million) to Trump’s campaign
- Was the sole donor to Trump’s super Political Action Committee
- Spent nearly $300 million overall on Republican candidates
- Took credit for Republicans retaining control of Congress
After the election, Trump rewarded Musk by appointing him to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), where he spearheaded mass layoffs of federal workers.
‘Disgusting abomination’
The relationship soured when Musk turned his fire on Trump’s megabill, which would:
- Extend Trump’s 2017 tax cuts
- Boost military and border security spending
- Add $2.4 trillion to the national debt over 10 years
- Cut Medicaid and food assistance programs
- Remove electric vehicle tax credits
I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore,” Musk posted. “This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.”
He followed up with a flurry of attacks, including posting an image of Uma Thurman from “Kill Bill” with the caption “KILL the BILL.
The Epstein bombshell
The feud reached its nadir when Musk posted – without evidence – that Trump appeared in files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier who died in prison while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
The White House immediately disputed the allegation, and by Saturday, Musk had deleted the post along with several other inflammatory messages.
Signs of reconciliation
Even before Wednesday’s apology, there were signs the two men might be backing away from mutual destruction.
On Monday, Trump softened his tone, telling reporters: “We had a good relationship, and I just wish him well.” He said he wouldn’t have a problem if Musk called and confirmed he would keep using SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet at the White House.
Musk responded to video of Trump’s remarks with a heart emoji and began praising the administration’s handling of the Los Angeles immigration protests.
He also re-followed White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller on X – particularly notable since Miller’s wife Katie had left the White House to work with Musk full time.
Vice President plays peacemaker
Vice President JD Vance appeared to be working behind the scenes to heal the rift, saying in an interview: “First of all, I’m the vice president to President Trump; my loyalties are always going to be with the president. Elon is an incredible entrepreneur.”
I hope that eventually Elon comes back into the fold. Maybe that’s not possible now because he’s gone so nuclear,” Vance added, before suggesting that “if Elon chills out a little bit everything will be fine.”
Musk responded “cool” to the video of Vance’s comments.
The bill that started it all
Despite Musk’s attacks, Trump’s megabill faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where fiscal conservatives share the billionaire’s concerns about its massive price tag.
House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the legislation, saying: “With all due respect, my friend Elon is terribly wrong about the One Big Beautiful Bill. It’s a very important first start.”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune dismissed Musk’s criticism, while Democrats gleefully seized on the Republican infighting, with Chuck Schumer holding up printouts of Musk’s tweets and declaring: “I agree with Elon Musk!”
What Musk didn’t say
Notably, Musk’s apology didn’t specify which posts he regretted or whether he stood by any of his criticisms of the spending bill.
The billionaire also didn’t address whether he plans to return to any formal role in the Trump administration after leaving DOGE last month to focus on his companies.
The stakes couldn’t be higher
The reconciliation – if it holds – could have massive implications for both men:
For Musk:
- Tesla receives significant government subsidies
- SpaceX holds billions in NASA contracts
- His companies rely on federal support and contracts
For Trump:
- Musk’s support was crucial to his 2024 victory
- The billionaire’s social media platform X shapes political discourse
- Losing Musk could embolden other Republican critics
As one Washington insider put it: “These are two of the most powerful men on the planet. When they fight, everyone feels the aftershocks.”
Whether this apology marks a genuine reconciliation or just a temporary ceasefire remains to be seen. But one thing is certain – in the high-stakes world of Trump and Musk, expect the unexpected.
