Elon Musk Expresses Regret Over Social Media Posts About Donald Trump.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk has publicly expressed regret for some of his recent social media posts targeting US President Donald Trump, admitting they “went too far.” The statement, posted on Musk’s social media platform X in the early hours of Wednesday, marks a notable shift in tone following a highly publicised feud between the two influential figures.
“I regret some of my posts about President .@realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far,” Musk wrote, without specifying which posts he was referring to. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO had previously sparked controversy by criticising Trump’s proposed tax and spending bill, labelling it a “disgusting abomination” and alleging, without evidence, that Trump was linked to files related to the late Jeffrey Epstein. Musk has since deleted several of these inflammatory posts, including one endorsing a call for Trump’s impeachment.
The feud erupted after Musk, who was the largest donor to Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, stepped down from his role as co-head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a White House initiative aimed at slashing federal spending. Musk’s criticism of Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” which includes significant tax cuts and increased defence spending, led to a war of words on social media. Trump responded by threatening to terminate government contracts with Musk’s companies, including SpaceX, and described the billionaire as having “gone crazy.”
In a sign of de-escalation, Trump told the New York Post on Wednesday that he thought Musk’s apology was “very nice.” The president, speaking in a pre-recorded podcast interview, added that he held “no hard feelings” towards Musk but remained focused on his agenda, stating, “My sole function now is getting this country back to a level higher than it’s ever been.” Trump also indicated he had not given further thought to retaliating against Musk’s businesses, despite earlier threats.
The public spat had raised concerns among Tesla shareholders, with the company’s stock dropping significantly last week as fears grew over potential government retribution. However, Tesla shares rose by nearly 2% on Wednesday, recovering losses incurred during the height of the feud, as Musk’s conciliatory tone suggested an effort to protect his business interests.
Musk’s father, Errol Musk, weighed in on the row, telling Russian newspaper Izvestia that his son had “made a mistake” in challenging Trump. “It’s just a small thing. It will be over tomorrow,” he added, predicting a reconciliation.
Political observers note that the intervention of Vice President JD Vance and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, who reportedly urged Musk to end the quarrel in a call last Friday, may have prompted his change in stance. Some Republican figures, including Vance, have expressed hope that Musk will “come back into the fold,” though they acknowledged the difficulty given the intensity of the dispute.
Musk’s rare public expression of regret has sparked varied reactions. On X, some users praised his willingness to back down, while others, such as @Roger_ramjet1, speculated that the apology stemmed from fears of Trump’s potential retaliation. Meanwhile, @quakerpen commented, “Such a lack of self-control and judgement should be nowhere near government,” reflecting ongoing criticism of Musk’s conduct.
As the dust settles, analysts suggest Musk’s apology may pave the way for a tentative reconciliation, though Trump’s reluctance to actively mend ties indicates the relationship remains strained. With Musk’s businesses heavily reliant on government contracts, particularly through SpaceX, the tech mogul’s decision to dial back his rhetoric appears to be a strategic move to safeguard his enterprises.
The episode underscores the volatile intersection of politics, business, and social media, where personal disputes between powerful figures can have far-reaching implications. For now, both Musk and Trump appear to be stepping back from the brink, leaving observers to watch whether this marks the end of their public feud or merely a temporary truce.