Key Points
- Elon Musk regrets some posts about Donald Trump
- Musk called Trump’s tax bill a “disgusting abomination”
- Public feud erupted over US budget and tax legislation
- Musk accused Trump of harming DOGE cryptocurrency progress
- Trump ended relationship, threatened Musk’s government contracts
- Musk referenced Epstein files involving Trump, later retracted
- Musk’s apology posted on social media platform X
- Trump expressed “no hard feelings” but no reconciliation planned
- Musk’s companies rely heavily on federal contracts and support
Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk publicly expressed regret on June 11, 2025, for some of the social media posts he made about former US President Donald Trump last week. Musk’s comments came after a highly visible and heated exchange on his social media platform X, where he criticized Trump’s recently passed tax and spending legislation.Musk had labeled the bill a “disgusting abomination,” condemning its combination of significant tax cuts and increased defense spending.
The legislation, approved by the House of Representatives and under Senate review, was championed by Trump as the “big, beautiful bill.” Musk warned that the bill would drive the United States into unsustainable debt and negatively impact economic progress, particularly citing damage to the Dogecoin (DOGE) cryptocurrency, which he supports.
Public Fallout: Relationship Severed and Threats Made
feud escalated quickly after Musk’s harsh criticism. Trump publicly announced that his relationship with Musk had ended and that he had no intention of repairing it. Trump also threatened to retaliate by canceling government contracts and subsidies that Musk’s companies, Tesla and SpaceX, have long depended upon.
Musk’s ventures have received at least $38 billion in government support over the years, including contracts with NASA and the Department of Defense. Tesla benefits from federal tax incentives, and SpaceX is a critical launch provider for US space missions, making the stakes of this dispute particularly high.
Musk’s Controversial Allegations and Retractions
The conflict intensified when Musk made a now-deleted post alleging that Trump appeared in unreleased files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This claim was met with swift dismissal from the White House and added fuel to the fire.
Musk also threatened to deactivate SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, which NASA uses to ferry astronauts to the International Space Station, though he later withdrew this threat. The public spat included Musk’s agreement with a tweet calling for Trump’s impeachment, further deepening the divide.
Musk’s Apology: “They Went Too Far”
This rare expression of regret appears to be an attempt to deescalate tensions after Trump’s threats and the potential risk to Musk’s business interests tied to federal funding and regulatory cooperation.
Trump’s Response: “No Hard Feelings” but No Reconciliation
In response to Musk’s apology, Trump told the New York Post in a brief phone call that he thought Musk’s expression of regret was “very nice.” However, Trump also indicated that mending their relationship was not a priority, stating in a recent interview that he was “too busy doing other things” and had “no intention” of speaking with Musk.
Despite the acrimony, Trump softened some of his earlier threats, and the two have not publicly resumed any form of alliance. Trump’s comments suggest a willingness to move on without lingering resentment but without rekindling their previous rapport.
Political and Business Implications of the Musk-Trump Rift
The public dispute shines a spotlight on Musk’s complex role in American politics and business. As a tech mogul deeply intertwined with government contracts and policy, Musk’s criticisms of Trump’s legislation and the ensuing fallout underscore the delicate balance between private enterprise and federal government relations.
Musk’s companies rely heavily on government support, from tax incentives for Tesla’s electric vehicles to SpaceX’s contracts for space exploration. The feud revealed vulnerabilities in Musk’s position, as political disagreements risk jeopardizing critical federal partnerships.
Broader Context: Musk’s Political Engagement and Influence
Musk’s involvement in political discourse has grown over recent years, with his vocal opinions on social media influencing public debate. His flirtation with forming a third political party and calls for Trump’s impeachment illustrate his willingness to engage in contentious political issues.
However, this episode reveals the potential consequences of such engagement, as Musk navigates the fine line between personal expression and the practical needs of his business empire.
A Tentative Step Toward Cooling Tensions
Elon Musk’s public admission of regret marks a rare moment of conciliation following a bitter exchange with Donald Trump. While the apology may ease some immediate tensions, the underlying political and business complexities remain unresolved.
As Musk continues to wield influence in both technology and politics, his relationship with powerful figures like Trump will likely remain a subject of intense public interest and scrutiny.
The episode highlights the challenges faced by high-profile entrepreneurs operating at the intersection of innovation, politics, and government dependency—where words can have far-reaching consequences beyond social media.