Overview of the Musk-Trump Rift
After a day marked by sharp exchanges and public criticisms, Elon Musk and former US President Donald Trump appeared to soften their stance on June 6, 2025. The conflict, which had escalated around disagreements over a tax and spending bill, showed signs of de-escalation by the evening.
White House Comments Signal Possible Truce
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt highlighted Musk's right to express his views regarding his businesses, emphasizing the distinction between Musk's role as a businessman and Trump's duties as president. She stated, “Elon went back to his companies. As a businessman, he has a right to speak for his companies. But as president, President Trump has a responsibility to fight for this country.”
Trump and Musk Tone Down Tensions
Following persistent tensions throughout the day, both parties tempered their rhetoric by night. Trump was reported to have reassured that relations with Musk were "okay" and asserted things were "going very well, never done better." This shift reportedly followed advice from Trump's aides, who encouraged him to focus on the bill rather than prolonging the dispute.
Updates on Musk's Social Media Activity
- Musk chose not to deactivate the Dragon spacecraft program, responding to public feedback with, "Good advice. Ok, we won’t decommission Dragon."
- He signaled willingness to reconcile by agreeing with calls from billionaire Bill Ackman to "make peace".
Background to the Feud
Earlier, Musk criticized a major tax and spending bill, labeling it a “big, ugly spending bill” and launched a poll proposing the creation of a new political party to represent the majority middle. The poll garnered over 2.1 million votes, with more than 81% in favor.
Trump reacted sharply to Musk’s criticisms, threatening to cancel government contracts with Musk's enterprises and accusing him of going "crazy." In response, Musk predicted a recession resulting from Trump's tariffs and escalated tensions with an unverified allegation related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump remarked on Musk's criticisms by saying, “I don’t mind Elon turning against me, but he should have done so months ago.”
Outlook
The recent shift in tone from both Elon Musk and Donald Trump suggests a potential thaw in their public feud. While disputes remain, the move toward calmer communication and acknowledgment of mutual respect could pave the way for more constructive interactions in the future.
