WASHINGTON, D.C. — June 2025 — Tech billionaire Elon Musk has ignited a political firestorm after claiming that President Donald Trump is named in the infamous Jeffrey Epstein files. The stunning allegation came during an increasingly bitter feud between the two influential figures, marking a dramatic escalation in their once-strong alliance.
Musk vs. Trump: A Public Meltdown
The public fallout began when Trump criticized Musk during a televised Oval Office speech, expressing “deep disappointment” over the Tesla and SpaceX CEO’s condemnation of his latest tax-and-spend bill. The bill, labeled a “disgusting abomination” by Musk, drew sharp rebuke from the billionaire, who threatened to cut ties publicly.
In a fiery exchange on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Musk fired back, accusing Trump of “ingratitude” and reminding the public of his significant financial contributions to the Trump 2024 campaign — totaling $300 million.
“Without me, Trump would have lost the election,” Musk declared. “Such ingratitude.”
The Epstein Files Allegation
The feud intensified when Musk posted a cryptic but explosive message: “Trump is in the Epstein files.” The documents, long shrouded in mystery, pertain to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
The claim has reignited interest in the unreleased government records surrounding Epstein’s activities, drawing demands for transparency and a renewed investigation into potential high-profile associations.
Wall Street Reacts: Tesla Shares Plunge
As the Musk-Trump clash went viral, Tesla shares tumbled nearly 15%, wiping over $100 billion off the company’s valuation in a single day. Investors appeared spooked not only by the feud but also by Trump’s threats to cancel Musk’s multi-billion-dollar government contracts.
These include critical deals for launching satellites, maintaining the Starlink network, and space exploration through SpaceX — contracts estimated to be worth $18 billion.
Trump Fires Back
Trump responded on Truth Social, claiming that he had asked Musk to leave the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which Musk briefly headed during Trump’s second term.
“Elon was wearing thin. I asked him to leave,” Trump wrote. He also accused Musk of going “crazy” over plans to phase out electric vehicle subsidies and suggested the easiest way to cut the budget was to “terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts.”
Fallout from a Fractured Alliance
The rapid deterioration of their once-cozy relationship has left Washington observers stunned. Musk had frequently appeared alongside Trump at White House events and was once regarded as a key advisor on tech and infrastructure policy.
However, insiders say Musk grew frustrated with government bureaucracy and internal resistance from Trump’s cabinet, leading to his short four-month tenure at DOGE.
A New Political Future?
Musk’s cryptic social media poll asking followers if he should form a new political party has fueled speculation about his political ambitions. Although ineligible to run for president due to his South African birth, Musk could become a powerful kingmaker in a deeply polarized political landscape.
Meanwhile, the fallout from the Epstein files claim remains uncertain — but its impact on Trump’s legacy and Musk’s public standing is undeniable.
