JD Vance Calls on Elon Musk to Ease Tensions with Donald Trump
In light of Elon Musk’s recent sharp criticisms directed at former President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance described the billionaire entrepreneur as an "emotional guy" who let his temper get the better of him. Vance, once close to both figures, urged Musk to take a step back and reconsider his aggressive approach.
Vance Warns of Negative Fallout
During an interview with comedian Theo Von, released on Friday, Vance referred to Musk’s public outburst as a "huge mistake." He expressed concerns that Musk’s attacks could harm not only the country but also Musk’s own reputation.
“I think if Elon chilled out a little bit, everything would be fine. Going after the President like that is going to be bad for the country and for Elon himself,” Vance said.
What Sparked the Feud?
Musk, CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and Starlink, launched a series of pointed posts targeting Trump’s tax and spending bill, even suggesting impeachment and alleging a government cover-up regarding Trump’s purported ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Trump retaliated by calling Musk "crazy" and warned of canceling federal contracts, to which Musk responded threatening to pull back NASA’s Dragon spacecraft.
Vance Defends Trump and the Legislation
When shown Musk’s claim that Trump was mentioned in Epstein-related records, Vance firmly replied, "Absolutely not. Donald Trump didn’t do anything wrong with Jeffrey Epstein," labeling Musk’s posts as "totally insane" and "not helpful." He reiterated his loyalty to Trump: “I’m always going to be loyal to the president.”
Regarding the contested tax and spending bill, Vance defended it as a reasonable effort to extend Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, despite concerns about increasing the federal debt by $2.4 trillion and leaving over 10 million uninsured. “It’s a good bill — not perfect, but good,” he said.
Balancing Criticism with Praise
While critical of Musk’s recent conduct, Vance acknowledged Musk’s undeniable impact as “an incredible entrepreneur.” He commended Musk’s push for government efficiency, even though it resulted in significant job cuts.
Calls for Reconciliation
Previously, billionaire investor Bill Ackman appealed for peace between Musk and Trump, a sentiment Musk partially echoed, hinting at a desire to de-escalate. Meanwhile, reports suggest that the White House may be working behind the scenes to mediate the conflict, though no official talks have been confirmed.
As the public feud unfolds on social media and beyond, voices like JD Vance’s advocate for cooler heads to prevail, hoping to restore balance amidst rising tensions between two of America’s most outspoken figures.
