A simmering feud between Elon Musk and President Donald Trump has erupted into a full-blown firestorm, with the tech mogul publicly accusing Trump of being named in the sealed Jeffrey Epstein files. Musk escalated the conflict by sharing a 1992 video of Trump partying with the disgraced financier, suggesting this connection is why key documents in the case remain hidden from the public.
The explosive claim marks a dramatic turning point in the relationship between two of the world’s most powerful men, who have gone from political allies to bitter rivals. The dispute, initially sparked by disagreements over fiscal policy, has now spiraled into personal attacks, threats of economic retaliation, and calls for impeachment.
The Video and the Accusation
On Thursday, Musk used his social media platform, X, to make a direct and unsubstantiated allegation: “@realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public.” To underscore his point, he shared vintage NBC footage from a 1992 party at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort. The clip shows Trump and Epstein surrounded by dancing women, with Trump gesturing toward one and appearing to mouth, “she’s hot.”
This accusation lands amid ongoing public curiosity about the “Epstein files”—a vast collection of documents from federal investigations into the deceased sex offender. While thousands of pages were unsealed in January 2024 and February 2025, many records remain sealed or heavily redacted, which Attorney General Pamela Bondi attributes to the need to protect victims and ongoing investigations.
Trump’s Retaliation and the Feud’s Origins
President Trump has not directly addressed Musk’s claim about the Epstein files. Instead, he has focused his counter-attack on their policy disagreements. During a White House meeting, Trump expressed his “disappointment” with Musk and claimed the billionaire’s criticism of his signature “One Big Beautiful Bill” was sour grapes over the elimination of electric vehicle subsidies.
“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… and he just went CRAZY!” Trump posted on social media. He followed this with a threat to cancel all federal contracts and subsidies for Musk’s companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, claiming it would save the government billions.
This public animosity is a stark reversal from the early days of Trump’s presidency. Musk was initially a prominent supporter, donating to Trump’s campaign and even being appointed to lead a new government efficiency agency. However, the relationship fractured in May 2025 when Musk resigned following public backlash and a steep drop in Tesla’s stock. Since then, Musk has fiercely criticized Trump’s policies, calling his tax bill a “disgusting abomination.”
A Look at the Past: Trump and Epstein
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!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 5, 2025
While Musk’s latest accusation is unproven, the connection between Trump and Epstein is well-documented. The two were known acquaintances in New York and Palm Beach social circles throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
In a 2002 New York Magazine profile, Trump described Epstein as a “terrific guy” and “a lot of fun to be with,” noting that Epstein “likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.”
Furthermore, flight logs submitted in court show Trump flew on Epstein’s private jet at least seven times between 1993 and 1997. Epstein’s infamous “Black Book” of contacts also listed multiple phone numbers and addresses for Trump and his properties.
What Happens Now?
The escalating war of words is already having tangible consequences. Following Trump’s threats to cut federal contracts, Tesla’s stock value plunged by 14 percent. In response, Musk has called for President Trump’s impeachment and replacement by Vice President JD Vance.
The very public and high-stakes battle has captured the attention of Washington, with some Democrats seizing the moment to demand the full, unredacted release of the Epstein files to determine if the President’s name is indeed being withheld. The feud between the president and the billionaire has now become a matter of national political debate, with significant consequences hanging in the balance.