Vance Labels Musk’s Attacks on Trump a 'Huge Mistake'
Vice President JD Vance has publicly criticized Elon Musk for launching a series of intense and inflammatory social media attacks against former President Donald Trump. Speaking in an interview amid escalating tensions between the two influential figures, Vance described Musk's campaign as a "huge mistake." Despite the severity of Musk's posts, Vance sought to temper the situation by describing Musk as an "emotional guy" who may have acted out of frustration.
Call for Reconciliation
Vance expressed hope that Musk would eventually "come back into the fold," though he acknowledged that Musk’s recent behavior — referred to as "going so nuclear" — might make reconciliation difficult. The showdown follows a bitter public falling out between Musk, the world's wealthiest individual, and Trump, one of the most prominent political figures in the United States. Several Republican leaders have also urged the two to resolve their differences.
Musk’s Criticism and Trump’s Response
Musk’s social media posts targeted President Trump’s tax cuts and spending legislation, branding the bill a "disgusting abomination" and warning it would increase the federal deficit. Musk also controversially suggested without evidence that the government was withholding information about Trump’s alleged connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In response, Trump dismissed Musk as "CRAZY" and threatened to terminate government contracts linked to Musk’s companies, including Tesla, SpaceX, and Starlink.
Vance’s Perspective on the Conflict
In the interview, Vance recalled observing Trump’s restraint despite feeling "a little frustrated" by Musk’s criticisms. He stated, "I think if Elon chilled out a little bit, everything would be fine." Vance further emphasized that Trump did not see a need to engage in a heated personal feud with Musk.
Addressing Claims Around Jeffrey Epstein
When shown Musk’s claim that Trump’s administration withheld records related to Jeffrey Epstein because Trump was mentioned, Vance firmly rejected the allegations, stating, "Absolutely not. Donald Trump didn't do anything wrong with Jeffrey Epstein." He added that such claims were "just not helpful" and called calls for Trump’s impeachment "totally insane."
Supporting Trump’s Tax Legislation
Vance defended the recent tax bill criticized by Musk, highlighting its primary goal was to extend the 2017 tax cuts rather than slash spending. He acknowledged the bill was not perfect but described it as "a good bill," countering Musk’s warnings about increased deficits and lost health insurance coverage.
He also criticized some House Republicans who claimed insufficient time to review the bill prior to voting, asserting that the legislation’s text had been available for weeks and dismissing those claims as "ridiculous."
Positive Remarks on Musk’s Entrepreneurial Achievements
The vice president praised Musk as an "incredible entrepreneur" and applauded his Department of Government Efficiency initiative for reducing government spending and workforce.
Lighthearted Moments in the Interview
The discussion, conducted with comedian Theo Von, contained lighter moments including jokes about historical figures and playful banter about election night celebrations. Vance denied getting high on election night but admitted to having "a fair amount to drink." The interview was recorded in Nashville at a restaurant owned by musician Kid Rock, known for supporting Trump.
