The simmering tension between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk exploded into a public brawl between the most powerful man in the world and the richest man in the world, filled with personal attacks and financial threats.
The spat began when the president criticized the Tesla CEO’s recent attacks on the Republican policy measure winding its way through Congress — which Trump has dubbed the “big, beautiful bill” — and quickly escalated into social media volleys. Trump suggested the U.S. government could cut its significant ties with Musk’s businesses. And Musk shot back, promoting a post that called for Trump’s impeachment and alleging a link between the president and the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“I’m very disappointed because Elon knew the inner workings of this bill,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office during a bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. “I’m very disappointed in Elon. I’ve helped Elon a lot.”
The comments — and the flurry of online retorts from both men that quickly followed — are the latest development in a remarkable break between the two. Musk donated over $250 million in support of Trump’s 2024 campaign, and after his November win, Trump invited him into his administration.
