Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has taken to social media platform X to express regret over certain posts he made last week concerning US President Donald Trump. Musk admitted, "I regret some of my posts about President Donald Trump last week. They went too far," indicating a level of remorse for the heated exchange between the two influential figures.
The tension began when Musk criticized Trump's tax legislation as a "disgusting abomination," prompting an escalating war of words. This incident occurred just after Trump proclaimed that his relationship with Musk was irrevocably over, stating he had no intention to repair their ties.
The controversial budget in question features considerable tax reductions and increased defense spending; it was approved by the House of Representatives last month and is currently under review in the Senate. Musk has urged citizens to contact their congressional representatives to oppose the bill, convinced it could lead to an economic downturn later this year.
Moreover, Musk made unverified allegations linking Trump to undisclosed government documents associated with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a claim the White House swiftly denounced. Trump's reaction included calling Musk "out of his mind" and even warned about canceling government contracts with him, which could amount to approximately $38 billion, a portion of which benefits Musk’s rocket and space enterprise, SpaceX.
In a recent NBC interview, Trump expressed dismay over Musk's behavior, stating, "You could not disrespect the office of the president," highlighting his disapproval of Musk's remarks. Following this fallout, Musk appears to have removed several of his antagonistic posts, including one that advocated for Trump's impeachment, suggesting a tactical retreat amid the backlash.
Previously, Musk had been a top financial supporter of Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and was considered a vital ally. Following the incident, former Trump aide Steve Bannon even suggested that Musk, originally from South Africa, should face deportation.
While Republican officials voiced hopes for reconciliation between the two, US Vice President JD Vance noted Musk’s actions may complicate any potential return to favor. On the other hand, Democrats have observed the conflict unfold with a degree of detachment. The feud gained traction after Musk's short-lived stint at the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), which lasted only 129 days.
