– Tensions between U.S. President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk erupted into a public feud on Thursday, marked by sharp personal attacks and allegations.
The spat began after Trump criticized Musk for opposing his administration’s sweeping tax and spending bill, accusing the Tesla CEO of hypocrisy. “I'm very disappointed,” Trump said, claiming Musk once supported the bill and was closely involved in its development.
Musk fired back online, denying he had any insider role in the legislation and suggesting Trump was retaliating over proposed cuts to electric vehicle (EV) mandates. He also made an unverified claim linking Trump to sealed Jeffrey Epstein files.
The clash follows Musk’s recent departure from a government advisory role focused on cutting federal waste. The fallout underscores growing political tensions between Silicon Valley leaders and the Trump administration ahead of the 2024 election season.