Trump vs. Musk: The Feud That’s Shaking Up Washington
If you thought the Trump-Elon Musk feud was the headline of the day, think again. When ABC News caught up with President Donald Trump early Friday morning—just hours after a wild back-and-forth with the Tesla billionaire—the former president sounded surprisingly chill, almost as if the whole thing wasn’t even on his radar.
Trump’s Early Morning Vibe: “Not Interested”
Around 7 a.m., Trump picked up the phone for an interview. When asked about the buzz that he might be hopping on a call with Musk later that day, his response was classic Trump — blunt, dismissive, and a bit playful. “You mean the man who has lost his mind?” Trump asked, smirking through his words. “I’m not particularly interested in talking to him right now.”
Even though he admitted Musk was eager for a chat, Trump made it clear: the ball’s not in his court just yet. Then, in true Trump fashion, he switched gears quickly—talking about how inflation is dropping, foreign investment is climbing, and dropping hints about a massive upcoming trip to China. Clearly, the feud wasn’t taking up much headspace.
Behind the Scenes: More Sad Than Mad
While Musk was launching a social media missile, sources close to Trump suggest a different story behind the scenes. One insider who was with Trump the night before described the former president as more “bummed” than furious about the spat. The energy wasn’t fiery rage; it was more of a deflated mood.
This softer side showed itself on Friday morning’s call, where Trump sounded measured, almost resigned. And there was an interesting twist involving Trump’s red Tesla — a vehicle he bought to show support for Musk’s company. A senior official told ABC News that Trump might either sell or give away the Tesla after the feud escalated. The car itself had been parked near the White House the day before, symbolizing a fleeting gesture of goodwill in what has now turned into a very public showdown.
The Fiery Thursday Night War of Words
So, what kicked off this high-profile drama? It all started with Musk publicly criticizing Trump’s signature tax and immigration bill — a cornerstone piece of legislation for the former president. Musk didn’t hold back, suggesting Trump wouldn’t have had a chance in the 2024 election without his backing. He also doubled down on calls for Trump’s impeachment, and, in a shocking twist, claimed Trump was somehow implicated in the Epstein files. Musk tweeted:
“That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!”
For anyone watching, the accusations were explosive, mixing politics, scandal, and conspiracy into one messy cocktail.
In response, Trump fired back hard. He accused Musk of having “gone CRAZY” and floated the idea of pulling government contracts and subsidies from Musk’s companies. The gloves were off — this was no longer a friendly spat but a full-on political and personal war.
Vice President JD Vance Steps In
Amid all the chaos, Vice President JD Vance waded into the fray — but carefully. His initial support for Trump came in the form of a brief X (formerly Twitter) post, posted hours after the feud ignited. Vance didn’t attack Musk directly — despite their complicated history — but instead threw full support behind Trump:
“President Trump has done more than anyone in my lifetime to earn the trust of the movement he leads. I am proud to stand beside him.”
By Friday morning, Vance was doubling down on his message but this time aimed squarely at the media, pushing back on narratives about Trump’s temperament:
“There are many lies the corporate media tells about President Trump. One of the most glaring is that he’s impulsive or short-tempered. Anyone who has seen him operate under pressure knows that’s ridiculous.”
It’s clear Vance wanted to draw a line — defending Trump’s character while avoiding escalating the Musk battle.
White House Weighs In: Calling It “Unfortunate”
The official White House reaction to the Musk-Trump drama was careful but pointed. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt described the feud as “an unfortunate episode from Elon, who doesn’t like the One Big Beautiful Bill because it doesn’t include his policies.” The statement drove home the message that the administration is zeroed in on legislative priorities and making America great again — not personal Twitter fights.
Musk Shows a Rare Sign of Softening
Despite the fierce words and accusations, Musk took a surprising step back late Thursday and early Friday. A small, low-follower X account suggested the two should “cool off” and “take a step back” — advice Musk quickly accepted, signaling he might want to dial down the drama.
This was especially notable after Musk had threatened to decommission “Dragon,” the spacecraft responsible for ferrying astronauts and supplies to the International Space Station — a serious threat with wide implications. Responding to the user’s advice, Musk simply wrote:
“Good advice. Ok, we won’t decommission Dragon.”
This moment showed that even billionaire Elon Musk can be swayed by a little common sense from the crowd.
Why This Feud Matters
-
Public Personalities Clashing: The fight between a former president and one of the most influential billionaires in the world is not your everyday political disagreement. Their actions have ripple effects on markets, policies, and public opinion.
-
Impact on Policy: Musk’s criticism of Trump’s tax and immigration bills shows the intersection of business interests and politics, where a single influential voice can sway public discourse or pressure lawmakers.
-
Media Narratives: Vice President Vance’s defense of Trump, coupled with the White House’s calm approach, highlight how political figures carefully manage messaging in volatile situations.
-
Space and National Security: Musk’s threat to the Dragon spacecraft hinted at potential risks for national space programs, showing how personal disputes can spill over into critical national projects.
What’s Next?
Trump hinted he’s not rushing to reconnect with Musk. The red Tesla he once proudly flaunted may soon be out of his garage for good. And while Musk seemed to back off, the damage from their online war is already made — political rivals, media outlets, and the public are watching closely.
One thing’s clear: in the era of social media, even the most unexpected feuds can become front-page news — and sometimes, they reveal more about the players behind the scenes than about the issues at hand.
Will Trump and Musk make peace? Or is this the beginning of a long-running saga with plenty more drama to come? Time will tell. For now, everyone’s watching — popcorn in hand.
Login