Donald Trump and Elon Musk had a spectacular fall out yesterday amid arguments over provisions included in the Republican’s “big, beautiful bill” that is going through Congress
Donald Trump has blasted former ally Elon Musk, claiming the billionaire is “the man who lost his mind.”
Mr Trump told US media he was not interested in speaking to the Tesla boss following their sensational fall out. During a press phone call on Friday morning, ABC News asked the Republican about a call he had planned with Mr Musk later in the day. Mr Trump then responded: “You mean the man who has lost his mind?” The US President said he was “not particularly” interested in talking to him at the moment.
He claimed Mr Musk wanted to speak to him but that he was not ready to speak to the world’s wealthiest man. Speaking to CNN’s Dana Bash, Mr Trump said: “I’m not even thinking about Elon. He’s got a problem. The poor guy’s got a problem.”
The top Republican previously said on Thursday that he was “very disappointed” with Mr Musk following his criticism of the party’s massive tax and spending cuts bill that he hopes will be signed into law. When asked if he would call Mr Musk, the president said: “No. I won’t be speaking to him for a while I guess, but I wish him well.”
Mr Musk has been a vocal critic of the Republican bill that needs Senate approval to become law. He argues the bill will substantially add to the US national debt that already stands at a staggering $36 trillion.
Other arguments against the bill that have by Democrats is that it will result in Americans’ healthcare access being slashed in favour of tax cuts which they argue will benefit the super wealthy. But Mr Trump has said the bill, which includes many other unrelated items such as a commitment not to regulate AI for several years, will lead to Americans having more money in their pockets.
But the spat turned nasty yesterday with Mr Musk making personal attacks against the president, appearing to agree he should be impeached and alleging Mr Trump is in the Epstein files and that was the main reason why they had not been released in full.
In a earth-shattering post shared to X/Twitter, Mr Musk said: “Time to drop the really big bomb: @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!”
The claim will particularly disorientate Trump supporters, many of whom, have called for files relating to notorious billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein to be released. Mr Trump has been documented to have been at social events with Mr Epstein but there is no evidence to support that he is linked to any wrongdoing or crimes related to the paedophile.
The high-profile fall out marks a sensational point in the Trump-Musk political alignment, with the Tesla boss having donated considerable amounts to the Republicans during and after the 2024 Presidential Election.