Tech billionaire Elon Musk and President Donald Trump are engaged in a high-profile public feud that escalated Thursday with Musk’s bombshell allegation that Trump’s name appears in the files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier and convicted sex offender.
Musk, in a post Thursday on X, wrote, “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!” He followed with, “Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out.”
Why It Matters
The accusation came shortly after Trump threatened to cancel federal contracts and subsidies for Musk’s companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, writing on Truth Social: “The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts.”
The feud escalated earlier this week when Musk, who gave over $200 million to Trump’s campaign and called himself his “first buddy,” publicly criticized the administration-backed “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The bill aims to extend tax cuts, increase immigration enforcement, and end consumer incentives for electric vehicles.
Musk denounced the bill as a “disgusting abomination,” warning it would add trillions to the national debt.
What To Know
The rapid descent of their relationship included disputes over influence, policy direction, and even public appearances. During an Oval Office event last week, Trump praised Musk as “one of the greatest business leaders and innovators,” while Musk pledged continued loyalty. That allegiance lasted less than a week.
The most explosive charge in the feud came with Musk’s claim that Trump is listed in Epstein-related files that have not yet been made public. While it is known that Trump and Epstein were acquainted and photographed together in the early 2000s, Trump has long denied any involvement in Epstein’s criminal conduct.
Evan Vucci/AP
Epstein was known to entertain famous people on his island, Little St. James, in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Numerous names have already been revealed through legal proceedings and media investigations, but portions of the records remain sealed, fueling widespread speculation. However, there is no evidence that Trump is among the files.
Since Epstein’s 2019 death in federal custody, there has been ongoing pressure from both political parties—and particularly from online influencers—for the full release of investigative files. Attorney General Pam Bondi’s February release of what she called “Phase 1” of the Epstein files was criticized for containing little new information.
Trump campaigned on releasing the “Epstein list,” a rumored document that some people believe may link high-profile individuals to sex crimes.
What Happened to Jeffrey Epstein?
Epstein took his own life at the age of 66 in a jail cell at New York City’s Metropolitan Correctional Center in August 2019, before he could stand trial in Manhattan on sex-trafficking charges where he was accused of preying on underage girls as young as 14. Authorities determined he hanged himself. He always denied any wrongdoing.
At the time, Epstein was already a convicted sex offender after being found guilty by a Florida state court in 2008 of one count of soliciting prostitution and one count of soliciting prostitution from a minor.
Stephanie Keith/Getty Images
Trump has denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein, although they were known to have interacted in social and professional circles in the early 2000s. The former president has previously distanced himself from Epstein following his 2007 conviction for sex crimes in Florida.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump on 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!”
Elon Musk, on X: “Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate. Such ingratitude.”
White House press secretary Karolina Leavitt, told Newsweek on Thursday, “This is an unfortunate episode from Elon, who is unhappy with the One Big Beautiful Bill because it does not include the policies he wanted. The President is focused on passing this historic piece of legislation and making our country great again.”
What Happens Next
Despite the severity of the claim, Musk has yet to release any documentation or evidence supporting his assertion that Trump appears in the Epstein files.
Update 6/05/25, 6:37 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
