Elon Musk Considers Engaging with Trump Aides to Mediate Ongoing Feud

Tensions between Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump have reached new heights this week, sparking discussions within the White House about a possible intervention to ease the escalating public feud. According to officials familiar with the situation, senior White House aides may attempt to reach out to Musk as early as Friday in an effort to deescalate the ongoing conflict that has played out across social media platforms.

The heated exchange initially erupted after several weeks of mounting friction. Trump, responding to Musk's recent criticism, reportedly expressed frustration over Musk's persistent opposition to the administration's legislative agenda. While no direct call between Trump and Musk is currently scheduled, sources confirm that Musk has indicated interest in speaking with Trump, but the decision remains pending at the highest level.

The growing discord has also had tangible effects at the White House itself, with reports emerging that a Tesla vehicle previously purchased by Trump during an event on the South Lawn is now slated to be sold or given away. The car, currently parked near the West Executive Drive with Florida license plates, symbolizes the deteriorating relationship between the two high-profile figures.

The feud escalated further when Musk took to X (formerly Twitter) to suggest without evidence that Trump appeared in the controversial Epstein files, intensifying public scrutiny and speculation. In his post, Musk claimed, "@RealDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!" He later doubled down on his allegation, stating, "Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out."

The White House responded swiftly to Musk’s statements. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt characterized Musk's actions as stemming from dissatisfaction with the current legislative agenda, which has notably excluded policies favorable to Musk or his businesses. Leavitt reiterated the administration’s focus on passing what she called a "historic piece of legislation" aimed at revitalizing the nation.

Meanwhile, Trump launched his own salvo on his social platform, stating that he had distanced himself from Musk in part because of Musk's resistance to ending federal mandates on electric vehicles—a move that deeply impacts Tesla, the world’s largest EV manufacturer. "The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts," Trump declared, in a direct threat to Musk’s business interests.

This latest dispute was triggered by Musk’s sharp denouncement of the Trump-supported reconciliation bill, labeling it a "disgusting abomination" and criticizing lawmakers for supporting what he described as an extravagant and wasteful spending package. Musk’s public disapproval signals increasing disillusionment with both the political establishment and the direction of federal policy involving technology and energy.

As tensions continue to mount, questions remain about whether White House staff can successfully broker peace between two of America’s most influential—and polarizing—figures. For now, the very public nature of their disagreements ensures that the feud will remain at the center of national attention in the days ahead.