Donald Trump has accused Elon Musk of “losing his mind,” as the escalating feud between the former president and the world’s richest man deepens, raising the potential for significant political and economic repercussions.
In a series of phone interviews with U.S. media, Trump lashed out at Musk following a blistering social media tirade from the tech billionaire.
In an interview with ABC News, when asked about reports of a possible conciliatory phone call with Elon Musk scheduled for later that day, Donald Trump responded sharply: “You mean the man who has lost his mind?” He added that he was “not particularly” interested in speaking with his former ally at the moment.
The President also spoke to CNN, saying, “I’m not even thinking about Elon. He’s got a problem. The poor guy’s got a problem.” In a separate interview with Politico, he offered a contradictory tone, claiming his relationship with Musk was “going very well, never done better.” Meanwhile, The New York Times reported that, in private conversations, Trump has suggested Musk’s recent behaviour may be linked to drug use.
Musk, a prominent Republican donor, had launched a scathing attack on Trump that culminated in an explosive claim linking him to the so-called “Epstein files” – documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In response, Trump took to his Truth Social platform and shared a statement from Epstein’s former criminal defense attorney, David Schoen, who categorically denied Musk’s allegation. “I can say authoritatively, unequivocally, and definitively that [Epstein] had no information to hurt President Trump,” Schoen stated. “I specifically asked him!”
The fallout marks a dramatic shift in their relationship. Once close allies during Trump’s 2024 campaign and early months of his return to the White House, the rift between Trump and Musk now appears to be widening, with Musk’s former role as Trump’s self-described “first buddy” fading fast.
