Elon Musk Seeks to Mediate U.S. Political Tensions by Engaging with Trump Aides

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk may enter talks with White House aides on Friday in a bid to ease tensions following his recent feud with President Donald Trump. The dispute between the billionaire entrepreneur and the former president has escalated across social media platforms, attracting significant public and political attention.

The rift began brewing over the last month, as relations between Musk and Trump reportedly soured. Over the past several days, both men have exchanged sharp comments online. While a high-level conversation between Musk and Trump himself is not currently scheduled, sources close to the situation indicate that White House officials might reach out to Musk in an attempt to deescalate the situation. One insider emphasized, “No call scheduled or had. Musk wants a call. POTUS hasn’t made a decision.”

Amidst the tension, a red Tesla Model S purchased by Trump earlier this year during a demonstration at the White House South Lawn has become embroiled in the controversy. The vehicle, still registered with Florida plates, sits parked near the White House, with reports suggesting it could soon be sold off or given away as a symbolic gesture in the ongoing spat.

In an especially contentious move, Musk alleged on X (formerly Twitter) that Trump appears in the Jeffrey Epstein files—claims that have not been substantiated. “@RealDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!” Musk posted, followed by a cryptic message asserting, “the truth will come out.” The accusation adds a dramatic new chapter to a feud that has already spilled far beyond policy disagreements.

The war of words has drawn in top officials from both camps. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described Musk’s remarks as “an unfortunate episode,” criticizing him for opposing the administration’s major legislative priorities. The President remains focused on passing what he calls a ‘historic’ piece of legislation designed to benefit Americans across the country.

Trump himself responded via Truth Social, accusing Musk of being disgruntled after losing key government subsidies and mandates supporting electric vehicles. He wrote, “Elon was ‘wearing thin,’ I asked him to leave, I took away his EV Mandate that forced everyone to buy Electric Cars that nobody else wanted... and he just went CRAZY!” Trump further threatened to end Tesla’s governmental subsidies and contracts, framing it as a budget-saving measure.

Republican lawmakers have largely sided with Trump against what they describe as Musk’s “kill the bill” campaign—referring to the billionaire’s outspoken opposition to the so-called “big, beautiful bill,” a cornerstone of Trump’s policy agenda. Musk, for his part, has not pulled punches, labeling the legislation as a “disgusting abomination” and lambasting lawmakers who support it. He posted, “This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.”

As the feud continues to play out both in public and behind closed doors, speculation is mounting over whether either side will seek true reconciliation—or if this latest clash will mark a long-lasting rift between two of the most influential figures in business and American politics.