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The once-cordial relationship between US President Donald Trump and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk descended into a public spat on social media on Thursday, 5 June 2025, as the two traded barbs over Trump’s controversial domestic policy bill. The escalating feud, marked by sharp insults and bold claims, unfolded across platforms like X and Truth Social, captivating observers and sparking a flurry of memes.

The disagreement, rooted in Musk’s vocal criticism of Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” – a sweeping tax and spending package – intensified throughout the day. Below is a timeline of the key moments, based on reports from major outlets and posts on X:

Morning, 5 June: Musk reignited his criticism of the bill, which he had previously called a “disgusting abomination” on 3 June. On X, he reposted old tweets from Trump decrying excessive government spending, using the president’s own words to highlight perceived hypocrisy.

Midday: Trump, speaking at an Oval Office press conference alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, broke his silence on Musk’s attacks. “I’m very disappointed in Elon,” he said, noting their previously “great relationship.” He suggested Musk’s criticism stemmed from the bill’s removal of electric vehicle (EV) subsidies, which could impact Musk’s Tesla. “I’ve helped Elon a lot,” Trump added, expressing surprise at the billionaire’s hostility.

Afternoon: Musk escalated the feud on X, claiming Trump “would have lost the election” in November 2024 without his support. He accused the president of “ingratitude” and insulted Republicans backing the bill. In a provocative move, Musk briefly announced that SpaceX would decommission its Dragon spacecraft – critical for NASA’s International Space Station missions – in response to Trump’s threat to cancel government contracts with Musk’s companies.

Late Afternoon: Trump fired back on Truth Social, writing, “Elon was ‘wearing thin,’ I asked him to leave, I took away his EV Mandate… and he just went CRAZY.” He accused Musk of overreacting to the subsidy cuts, which Trump claimed Musk had long known about. Musk swiftly responded on X, calling Trump’s statement “an obvious lie” and adding, “So sad.”

Evening: Musk posted a bombshell claim on X, alleging that Trump’s name appeared in the unreleased Jeffrey Epstein files, suggesting this was why the documents remained sealed. “Have a nice day, DJT!” he wrote, stunning observers and prompting allies of both men to attempt damage control. This marked a tipping point, with insiders describing the feud as irreparable.

Night: Musk backtracked on his threat to decommission the Dragon spacecraft after a user on X urged him to reconsider. “Good advice,” Musk replied, confirming the programme would continue. Meanwhile, Trump’s allies, including Republican Representative Tim Burchett, publicly supported the president, urging Musk to cease his attacks.

The feud sent ripples through financial markets, with Tesla shares dropping 14% on Thursday, erasing roughly £115 billion in market value, though losses later stabilised. Trump Media, the parent company of Truth Social, also saw an 8% decline.

Political figures weighed in, with House Republicans like Troy Nehls calling Musk’s actions “irresponsible” and urging both sides to cool off. Democratic Senator Andy Kim argued that the public spat distracted from the bill’s potential harm, particularly its proposed benefit cuts.

Social media erupted with memes likening the clash to famous rivalries, from Mean Girls to the Drake-Kendrick Lamar feud. One X user quipped, “The big beautiful bill led to the big beautiful breakup.”

Musk, who served as head of the Department of Government Efficiency until his departure on 30 May, had been a key ally of Trump, even receiving the “Key to the White House” during a joint press conference. However, tensions simmered as Musk grew critical of Trump’s legislative agenda, particularly the spending bill, which he argued was bloated and wasteful.
Trump, meanwhile, viewed Musk’s attacks as a betrayal, especially given the billionaire’s role as a major political donor and supporter during the 2024 election. The president’s threat to cancel Musk’s government contracts – potentially worth billions – underscored the high stakes of the dispute.

As the feud shows no signs of abating, analysts warn it could complicate Trump’s efforts to pass the bill, already described as “on life support” by some Republicans. Musk’s influence on X, where he has floated ideas like a new political party, adds further unpredictability.
For now, the public awaits the next salvo in this high-profile clash, with both men known for their unyielding personalities. As one X post put it, “Trump and Musk have fallen out… and now they’re beefing publicly.”