Washington, D.C. — Once dubbed the “first buddy” of former President Donald Trump, tech billionaire Elon Musk is now at the center of a fiery political feud with the ex-President, as tensions between the two influential figures boil over in public view.
The latest twist in the Trump-Musk saga unfolded on Thursday, June 5, when Trump dismissed the idea of an imminent private conversation with Musk, calling the Tesla and SpaceX CEO “a man who has lost his mind.” His statement came just days after White House aides scrambled to arrange a one-on-one phone call between the two on Friday — a call now in serious doubt.
“Not Particularly Interested in Talking to Musk”
In an interview with ABC News, Trump was blunt when asked about the planned conversation with Musk. “You mean the man who has lost his mind?” Trump quipped. “I’m not particularly interested in talking to Elon Musk right now.”
This public rebuke starkly contrasts the narrative reported earlier by Politico, where officials suggested a private dialogue between the two was on the schedule. With Trump’s latest remarks, the status of that meeting is now unclear.
Fallout Over ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’
The unraveling of their alliance reportedly began after Musk publicly criticized Trump’s flagship economic policy — the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill”, a sweeping tax-and-spend package the Biden successor insists will “revive American greatness.”
In a scathing CBS interview aired on May 28, Musk cautioned that the bill would “explode the federal deficit and undermine the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).” Taking a dig, Musk said, “I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful. But I don’t know if it can be both.”
The White House responded swiftly through Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who dismissed Musk’s criticisms: “The President already knows where Elon Musk stands on this bill. It doesn’t change his view. This is one big, beautiful bill and he’s sticking to it.”
Musk’s Epstein Allegation Adds Fuel
Adding further intrigue, Musk escalated tensions by insinuating Trump might be among the unnamed individuals in sealed Jeffrey Epstein documents. Though the accusation remains unsubstantiated, it has become part of Musk’s broader critique, suggesting political interests are keeping certain truths hidden from the public.
The claim, while not confirmed, has deepened the mistrust between the two former allies, turning what was once a strategic partnership into a political and personal battleground.
SpaceX Retirement Sparks Government Threats
The feud worsened hours after Musk announced the retirement of SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft — a decision seen by some in Washington as abrupt and poorly timed. In response, Trump reportedly floated the idea of halting government contracts tied to Musk’s ventures.
This potential federal retaliation has sent ripples across Wall Street, especially as Musk’s companies — including SpaceX and Tesla — rely heavily on public-private partnerships for defense, energy, and infrastructure development.
Tesla Shares Tumble, Then Rebound
The stock market quickly reacted to the drama. Tesla shares suffered a staggering 14% drop on Thursday, erasing around $150 billion in market value — marking the steepest single-day plunge in the company’s history.
However, after reports surfaced about the possibility of a private Trump-Musk dialogue, the stock showed signs of recovery in pre-market trading Friday, rebounding up to 5%.
From Power Duo to Public Rivals
Just a year ago, Trump and Musk appeared to share a symbiotic relationship — Trump admired Musk’s entrepreneurial grit, and Musk seemed willing to cooperate with the former administration on space, tech, and green energy initiatives. But today, that camaraderie has morphed into a combative standoff.
Political analysts suggest the fallout could have lasting implications, especially with the 2026 elections on the horizon and Musk’s growing sway in political discourse via his social platform X.
Whether this is merely a stormy phase in a complex relationship or a permanent fracture remains to be seen. For now, both men appear to be digging in — trading barbs instead of building bridges.
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