Donald Trump and Elon Musk, two of essentially the most media-addled personalities of our time, are publicly torching their relationship by posting on the general public social media networks they every respectively personal. I’ve seen theories that that is kayfabe, and I don’t purchase it. Trump and Musk have publicly shit-talked folks, together with one another, earlier than turning round and dealing with them. However that is actual; threats are being made. I’m simply undecided how critical it’s.
“Elon and I had a fantastic relationship. I don’t know if we are going to anymore.”
Let’s again up. Starting last week, Musk started making escalating offended remarks concerning the Massive Lovely Invoice that eradicated the EV tax credit. Trump, unusually tactful, didn’t reply. Which will have been as a result of Musk has not but donated $100 million he promised to a Trump-owned PAC. This morning, Trump stated he was “very disillusioned with Elon,” who “knew this invoice higher than anybody.”
“Elon and I had a fantastic relationship. I don’t know if we are going to anymore,” Trump added.
Trump had hardly completed talking when Musk went on X, his social media community, to say “False, this invoice was by no means proven to me even as soon as and was handed at midnight so quick that just about nobody in Congress may even learn it!” He went on to say that without him, “Trump would have misplaced the election.”
Musk additionally unfollowed Stephen Miller on X, in addition to the pundit Charlie Kirk. He retweeted outdated clips of himself saying that the federal deficit wanted to come back down, and put up a ballot: “Is it time to create a brand new political occasion in America that really represents the 80% within the center?” The ballot is, as of this writing, pinned to Musk’s profile. “Sure” is within the lead with 83 % of the votes.
It is a reality-TV squabble enjoying out on social media
Now, each of those males are wonderful at commanding consideration, and it is a reality-TV squabble enjoying out on social media. It’s also deeply petty. However a authorities contractor, one whose enterprise empire is extraordinarily depending on federal contracts, posting concerning the deficit is serving up a pleasant volley. Trump spiked it.
“The best manner to economize in our Funds, Billions and Billions of {Dollars}, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts,” Trump wrote on Fact Social. “I used to be at all times shocked Biden didn’t do it.” Trump additionally stated he’d requested Musk to go away authorities, and Musk “simply went CRAZY!”
I might query using “went” in that sentence however certain. That’s a fairly actionable risk. (Additionally jawboning, although at this level who’s protecting observe?) It could in all probability fuck up what’s left of NASA in a fairly vital manner, however no matter.
![An X post from Elon Musk: “This just gets better and better [two laugh-cry emojis]. Go ahead, make my day.” He’s quote-tweeting Eric Berger who writes, “This would both end the International Space Station and simultaneously provide no way to safely deorbit it.”](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/Screenshot-2025-06-05-at-3.49.16%E2%80%AFPM.png?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100)
Musk responded, “Go forward, make my day.” Then, he posted, “Time to drop the actually large bomb: @realDonaldTrump is within the Epstein information. That’s the actual purpose they haven’t been made public.” Musk has also dined with Epstein, and has been subpoenaed for documents in an Epstein-related lawsuit.
Who’s successful? Effectively, Tesla inventory declined 14 % in the present day, closing at $284.70. Trump can harm Musk imminently, and never simply with the spending invoice. Musk, The Washington Put up reported, started his profession within the US by working here illegally. That would doubtlessly complicate his naturalization and create grounds for the Trump authorities to strip him of his citizenship, and presumably even deport him again to South Africa. Would that be authorized? It appears fairly clear that ICE doesn’t care.
I ponder what sort of dust they’ve on one another
Musk, then again, hasn’t despatched that $100 million verify, and should select to not after this contretemps. He additionally has sufficient cash to fund major challenges all around the nation, in addition to interact in aggressive lobbying towards the invoice — or any future pet Trump venture. If SpaceX contracts are canceled, which will strand some navy satellites, too.
As if that isn’t sufficient, the 2 of them have been thick as thieves for no less than a 12 months now. The present beef entails plenty of public info. (Trump was known to be pals with Epstein; Musk’s allegation that it’s why the information weren’t launched is new.) I ponder what sort of dust they’ve on one another from spending all that point collectively, and I ponder how a lot destruction that info may wreak.
In the meantime, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee are attempting to subpoena Musk. Nancy Mace (R-SC) suspended the hearing to give Republicans time to arrive and vote towards the subpoena. Ought to Trump demand it, it’s simple to think about one other vote occurring — one which hauls Musk in entrance of Congress.
Additionally, an alleged member of Musk’s coterie of baby mamas has chosen to weigh in on Twitter. Ashley St. Clair, who’s at present engaged in a paternity swimsuit with Musk, wrote on X, “hey @realDonaldTrump lmk if u want any breakup recommendation.”
Might is over, however it appears the meltdowns are simply starting. Proper now, we’re watching two males with leverage over one another battle with obscure threats and public info. However that battle simply retains escalating, and the stakes couldn’t be larger.