Live Updates: Trump and Musk’s Feud Escalates with Threats of Contract Cuts and Epstein Allegations

 

- JUNE 5, 12.10pm ET: 

Tension Between Trump and Elon Musk Escalates as Relationship Falls Apart The once-strong alliance between U.S. President Donald Trump and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has turned sour, culminating in a highly publicized spat. Trump expressed his disappointment in Musk, criticizing him publicly and claiming he was "very disappointed" in the man he once authorized to receive federal funding. The fallout has escalated into a war of words, with Musk threatening to decommission a key spacecraft owned by his company SpaceX—though he later reversed this threat. Additionally, Tesla's stock price took a significant hit, dropping by 14% amid the discord.

On Thursday, while meeting the German leader in the Oval Office, Trump spoke candidly about his disappointment with Musk In response, Musk launched a series of extraordinary attacks on X, suggesting without evidence that Trump appears in unreleased files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein Trump shot back several times, saying that Musk "went CRAZY" and was asked to leave the administration. He also threatened to cut government contracts with Musk's companies

Elon Musk unleashed a fresh round of tweets late Thursday afternoon, calling for President Trump to be impeached and declaring that SpaceX would begin decommissioning a spacecraft essential to NASA's operation — though he later backtracked on this threat.

Why it matters: Trump's threat to cancel billions of dollars of government contracts with Musk's companies has ignited a new round of escalation in the explosive civil war between the two former allies.

- JUNE 5, 1.57pm ET:

Musk launches a poll on X with the question: "Is it time to create a new political party in America that actually represents the 80% in the middle?"

- JUNE 5, 2.37pm ET:

Trump hits back on his social media platform, Truth Social:

"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 (that he knew for months I was going to do!), and he just went CRAZY!"

"The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts. I was always surprised that Biden didn’t do it!"

- JUNE 5, 4.06pm ET:

Trump defends the spending bill and takes a swipe at Musk:

"I don’t mind Elon turning against me, but he should have done so months ago. This is one of the Greatest Bills ever presented to Congress," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

- JUNE 5, 4.11pm ET:

Musk writes "yes" on X in response to another user posting: "President vs Elon. Who wins? My money's on Elon. Trump should be impeached and JD Vance should replace him."

- JUNE 5, 4.26pm ET:

Musk writes: "The Trump tariffs will cause a recession in the second half of this year."

See also: Trump and Xi Jinping Agree to Continue Dialogue to Resolve Trade Disputes

11:49 AM · Jun 6, 2025

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski Responds to Elon Musk After Trump Clash

In a recent development, Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski publicly responded to Elon Musk amidst ongoing tensions involving U.S. President Donald Trump. This exchange traces back to a social media spat from March, when Musk and U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, clashed over Ukraine’s reliance on the Starlink satellite service.

Sikorski previously suggested that Ukraine might need an alternative to Starlink, which prompted a sharp retort from Musk, who told Sikorski to “be quiet, small man” on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

The recent escalation ties into the broader political conflicts between Musk and Trump, which reached a new high when Trump threatened to cut off government contracts to Musk’s companies. Musk responded by openly calling for Trump to be impeached.

In a pointed reply on X, Sikorski remarked, “See, big man, politics is harder than you thought,” indirectly criticizing Musk’s involvement in high stakes political disputes. As of now, Musk has not responded publicly to Sikorski’s comments.

This episode highlights the growing international impact of these high profile disputes, illustrating how social media conflicts among influential figures can spill over into diplomatic and political arenas. The recent escalation ties into the broader political conflicts between Musk and Trump, which reached a new high when Trump threatened to cut off government contracts to Musk’s companies. Musk responded by openly calling for Trump to be impeached.

In a pointed reply on X, Sikorski remarked, “See, big man, politics is harder than you thought,” indirectly criticizing Musk’s involvement in high stakes political disputes. As of now, Musk has not responded publicly to Sikorski’s comments.

This episode highlights the growing international impact of these high profile disputes, illustrating how social media conflicts among influential figures can spill over into diplomatic and political arenas.

4:23 PM · Jun 6, 2025

Russia Responds to Trump-Musk Feud with Jokes, Jibes, and Job Offers The ongoing feud between U.S. President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk has sparked amusement, mockery, and playful remarks among Moscow’s political and social circles. Russian officials and commentators seized the opportunity to make light of the dispute, with some offering humorous suggestions and others poking fun at the chaos. Dmitry Rogozin, a nationalist senator who previously led Russia’s space program, joked on Musk’s X social media platform, saying, “Elon, don’t be upset! If you encounter insurmountable problems in the U.S., come to us. Here you will find reliable comrades and complete freedom of technical creativity.” Former Russian President and security official Dmitry Medvedev added humor to the mix: “We are ready to facilitate the conclusion of a peace deal between D and E for a reasonable fee and to accept Starlink shares as payment. Don’t fight, guys!”