Elon Musk issued a rare public apology early Wednesday, June 11, saying his recent posts about President Donald Trump “went too far.” The statement followed weeks of open criticism, during which Musk accused Trump of being mentioned in unreleased Epstein files and urged voters to oppose the administration’s major spending bill.
Musk deleted the posts and shared the apology on X, the platform he owns.
The reversal comes amid concern over potential business fallout. Trump previously threatened to pull federal contracts from Musk’s companies, including Tesla, SpaceX and xAI. Analysts at Morgan Stanley recently suggested Musk’s political moves could be strategic, noting investor skepticism surrounding his influence in Washington.
What triggered the Musk-Trump feud?
The conflict began after Musk criticized Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill,” calling it an “abomination” and urging Americans to “kill the bill.” He claimed the legislation reversed the $2 trillion in projected savings achieved by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a federal cost-cutting agency he once led.
Musk also accused Trump of ungratefulness, asserting that the president would not have won reelection without his support. The feud escalated as Musk called for Trump’s impeachment and dared the White House to cancel contracts.
Trump responded by saying he had “no intention” of speaking to Musk, calling the billionaire “disrespectful” in a televised interview.
How did Trump and his allies respond?
Despite the tension, Trump’s public response was measured. In a weekend interview, he dismissed Musk’s attacks as disappointing but said he hoped the Tesla CEO would succeed.
Vice President JD Vance later added that Trump felt the criticism was unfair but didn’t want a “blood feud” with Musk. The Tesla CEO replied “cool” to a clip of Vance’s comments, signaling a possible thaw.
What’s at stake for Musk’s companies?
Musk’s businesses remain deeply intertwined with federal contracts. SpaceX is critical to NASA operations and U.S. military satellite communications, while Tesla and xAI are pursuing government-backed initiatives.
With $5 billion in loans reportedly being marketed for xAI, analysts suggest Musk’s shift in tone may reflect concern over how political conflict could impact future funding and partnerships.
The apology also comes just ahead of Tesla’s expected robotaxi launch, currently slated for June 22.
