Elon Musk regrets calling Donald Trump names on X

In a surprising turn of events, tech magnate Elon Musk has publicly expressed remorse for a series of inflammatory social media posts targeting United States President Donald Trump, marking a potential shift in their once-close alliance. The feud, which erupted into public view last week, captivated audiences as two of the world’s most influential figures traded barbs on their respective platforms, X and Truth Social.

On Wednesday, June 11, Musk took to X to admit that some of his remarks had crossed a line, signalling an attempt to de-escalate tensions that had threatened his business interests and political influence.

Flashback: How friends turned foes

The saga began when Musk, who had previously served as a key advisor to Trump and co-head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), publicly criticised the president’s ambitious “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” This legislative package, combining sweeping tax cuts and significant spending increases, was touted by Trump as a cornerstone of his economic agenda. Musk, however, labelled it a “disgusting abomination,” arguing it would balloon the US budget deficit and undermine the efficiency goals he had championed at DOGE. In a CBS interview, he stated that the bill “undermines” his work, further amplifying his critique on the social networking site he owns, X, by warning it would “substantially increase” the national debt.

Musk’s outspoken opposition sparked a fierce response from Trump, who had once hailed the billionaire as his “first buddy” and even presented him with a ceremonial golden key to the White House on May 30, 2025. The president retaliated by threatening to terminate government contracts and subsidies awarded to Musk’s companies, including SpaceX and Tesla. On Truth Social, the social media platform Trump had launched while being hounded by Jack Dorsey's Twitter, the previous avatar of X, the president accused Musk of going “crazy” and suggested that ending these financial lifelines would save “Billions and Billions of Dollars.”

The escalation reached a boiling point when Musk made a now-deleted claim that Trump was implicated in the “Epstein files,” a reference to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Musk also endorsed a post calling for Trump’s impeachment, with Vice President JD Vance to replace him, further inflaming the conflict.

Others who were affected

The public spat sent shockwaves through political and financial circles. Tesla’s market value plummeted by over $150 billion during the feud, though shares rebounded by 2.6% in pre-market trading following Musk’s apology. Analysts suggested that Musk’s softened tone was a strategic move to protect his business empire, which relies heavily on government contracts. “It’s in neither’s best interest to let the drama continue,” said Matthew Britzman, an analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, noting that both men appeared to be stepping back from the brink.

I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 11, 2025

In a candid moment on X, Musk reflected on his past political choices and the broader state of US politics. “I must admit that I voted for Biden in 2020, but I think the pendulum has swung too far toward divisive politics,” he wrote. He elaborated, “I’m not saying I agree with everything Trump does or says, but I do think the constant demonisation of him is unproductive and, frankly, unfair.” These remarks, preserved from the original conversation, underscored Musk’s attempt to position himself as a voice for moderation, even as his earlier posts had fanned the flames of division.

Users' reactions

Social media reactions to Musk’s apology were mixed. Some X users praised his willingness to backtrack, with one commenting, “Thank you, Elon!” Others were sceptical, questioning whether the apology was genuine or a calculated effort to salvage his business interests. “The thought of losing lucrative government contracts whilst Tesla sits in a dumpster can have this effect on one?” quipped user @BurtOHare.

‘Elon Musk says he ‘went too far’ and ‘regrets’ some of his posts about Donald Trump..’

The thought of losing lucrative government contracts whilst Tesla sits in a dumpster can have this effect on one?…#BackPeddle pic.twitter.com/RAod6yMYtv

— Frank Lee Like A Mitten 🌹💙🇬🇧🇬🇷🇨🇾🇪🇺 (@BurtOHare) June 11, 2025

Another user demanded clarity on Musk’s Epstein allegations, asking, “Did you lie about it?” The controversy highlighted the polarised nature of online discourse, with some accusing Musk and Trump of staging the feud for publicity.

The feud’s roots trace back to Musk’s evolving relationship with Trump. Initially a vocal supporter, Musk spent hundreds of millions to back Trump’s re-election campaign and joined his administration in a high-profile role. However, tensions emerged as Musk’s influence waned, particularly after complaints from other administration officials led Trump to reduce his authority in March 2025. Musk’s resignation from DOGE and subsequent criticism of the spending bill marked a breaking point, transforming their alliance into a public spectacle.

Despite the apology, Trump has yet to respond directly to Musk’s olive branch. On Monday, he told reporters he had no immediate plans to speak with Musk but maintained that he would not discontinue SpaceX’s Starlink service to the White House. Trump’s posts on Truth Social focused on other priorities, such as celebrating a tariff win, suggesting a desire to move past the conflict. Sources close to Musk indicate that his anger has subsided, and he may seek to mend ties, though analysts doubt the two will recapture their former closeness.

Musk’s retraction of posts, including those referencing Epstein and impeachment, signals a cautious retreat. His actions align with broader efforts to dial down tensions, such as sharing Trump’s posts condemning unrest in Los Angeles. Whether this marks a genuine reconciliation or a pragmatic truce remains unclear. For now, the tech titan’s apology has shifted the narrative, offering a rare moment of humility from a figure known for his provocative rhetoric. As the dust settles, the world watches to see if these two titans can coexist or if their rivalry will reignite.

Timeline of feud