The ongoing feud between former President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk reached a fever pitch on Thursday, as Musk lobbed a sensational accusation at Trump via a social media post to his 200 million followers. The allegation, that Trump's name appears in the sealed Jeffrey Epstein files, has sent shockwaves through political and tech communities alike.
The clash, which began over disagreements on electric vehicle (EV) mandates contained within Trump's "One Big, Beautiful Bill," has now opened up to include deeply personal attacks and potentially serious accusations. The bill, priced at $1.6 trillion, has garnered significant attention for slashing EV subsidies and imposing fees on EV owners, a move that directly impacts Musk's business interests.
Musk's startling claim was made in a post on the platform X, where he stated, “Time to drop the really big bomb: @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!” He followed this up with a cryptic message, suggesting that the truth would eventually come to light, despite offering no evidence to back up his allegations.
Earlier in the day, Trump had dismissed Musk's displeasure with the EV mandate cut, telling reporters that Musk was fully informed about the bill's contents before his sudden change of heart. Musk hit back, denying those claims and arguing that the bill was rushed through Congress without proper scrutiny.
The war of words quickly escalated as Trump took to Truth Social to label Musk's behavior as erratic and to suggest the withdrawal of federal support for Musk's companies. "The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts," Trump stated.
Musk, for his part, has been vocally campaigning against the legislation, branding it a "disgusting abomination" and calling on the public to pressure Congress. The political fallout of this dispute is complex, with the potential to split a coalition of 'America First' supporters and tech innovators.
Amidst this backdrop, the controversy surrounding the Epstein files remains potent. Attorney General Pam Bondi's office has been actively seeking the full release of the classified records, with a limited set of documents already made public earlier this year. The FBI continues to maintain that further material cannot be unsealed, citing Epstein's purported suicide and the ensuing investigation.
Musk's unexpected allegation has thus reignited public interest in the Epstein case and further strained the already tense relations between two of the nation's most prominent figures.
