A seismic rift has erupted between former US President Donald Trump and tech titan Elon Musk, as the two former allies trade blows over a multi-trillion-dollar “One, Big, Beautiful Bill”. What began as a policy dispute has spiralled into a bitter public feud, dragging in allegations tied to Jeffrey Epstein and entangling another tech mogul, Peter Thiel, in a high-stakes political and economic showdown that has stunned the world.
Bill Sparks Firestorm: Musk Slams ‘Fiscal Disaster’
The row centres on Trump’s flagship “One, Big, Beautiful Bill”, a sweeping budget proposal packed with massive tax cuts, soaring defence spending, and deregulation, costing trillions of dollars. Musk unleashed a scathing attack on the bill via X, branding it a “ludicrous, pork-barrel monstrosity” that could balloon the US deficit to $2.5 trillion and saddle the nation with “unsustainable debt”. He vowed to bankroll Republican candidates opposing Trump’s agenda and labelled supporters of the bill “utterly shameless”.
Trump hit back hard on his Truth Social platform, threatening to axe government contracts with Musk’s SpaceX, calling it “the easiest way to save billions”. He accused Musk of opposing the bill out of self-interest, claiming its scrapping of electric vehicle tax credits would hurt Tesla. Trump also dismissed Musk’s role in his 2024 election victory, insisting the tech billionaire’s influence was overstated.
Feud Escalates: Epstein Allegations Ignite Outrage
On 4 June, the clash reached fever pitch. Musk fired back at Trump’s threats on X, retorting, “Do as you please,” and insisting his stance was driven by concern for the nation’s finances, not personal gain. In a bombshell move, he hinted at links between Trump and the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, offering no evidence but sending shockwaves across the internet. Trump responded on Truth Social, blasting Musk for “betrayal” and declaring their once-close alliance “dead and buried”.
Thiel’s Precarious Position: Mediation Falters?
The feud has also drawn in Peter Thiel, the Palantir co-founder and longtime Trump backer who shares a deep history with Musk from their PayPal days. Thiel, who funnelled millions into Trump’s 2024 campaign through political action committees, has reportedly tried to mediate between the two. Insiders say Thiel privately shares Musk’s fiscal concerns about the bill but has avoided publicly crossing Trump to preserve his influence within the Republican Party. However, Trump’s decision to withdraw the nomination of Musk’s ally Jared Isaacman for NASA administrator signals growing tensions with Thiel’s camp, leaving the tech billionaire in a delicate bind.
Behind the Clash: A Battle for Power and Money
The spat goes beyond policy, exposing deep cracks in the Trump-Musk alliance. Sources reveal Musk promised $100 million for Trump’s campaign but failed to deliver, infuriating the former president. Musk’s aggressive push for government cuts through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has also rankled Trump’s inner circle. Analysts see this as a power struggle: Musk is leveraging X’s reach and his wealth to challenge Trump, while Trump wields government contracts as a weapon to rein him in.
Market Turmoil and Political Fallout
The feud has sent shockwaves through markets. On 5 June, Tesla’s shares plummeted 14% as investors fretted over the fallout from Musk’s clash with Trump. The Republican Party is also fracturing, with senators like Rand Paul opposing the bill’s debt ceiling hike, clouding its prospects in the Senate. Political observers warn that this rift could undermine Republican unity and derail Trump’s second-term legislative ambitions.
What’s Next: Who Will Prevail?
As the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” faces a contentious Senate battle, the Trump-Musk showdown shows no signs of cooling. Musk may ramp up his X campaign to sway public opinion, while Trump could escalate pressure on SpaceX’s contracts. Thiel’s role remains a wildcard—can he mend fences with Trump, or will he be forced to pick a side? The outcome of this billionaire brawl could reshape America’s political and economic landscape.
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