Tech billionaire Elon Musk has publicly expressed regret over his recent online feud with U.S. President Donald Trump, saying some of his posts went “too far.”
He disclosed this in a post on Wednesday, via his social media platform X, signaling a possible attempt to de-escalate tensions between himself and the U.S. President.
“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.
In several now-deleted messages, Musk had sharply criticized Trump and his administration, including one that accused the president of being named in sealed documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The fallout between the two began on June 6 after Musk attacked Trump’s tax and spending proposal, also known as the “One Big, Beautiful Bill”. Musk called it a “disgusting abomination.”
The legislation, central to Trump’s second-term agenda, features extensive tax cuts, increased defence spending, and provisions to fund immigration enforcement operations.
The disagreement quickly escalated with Musk suggesting political retribution against Republicans who backed the bill and hinted on funding primary challengers against them.
In response, Trump warned of “very serious consequences” should Musk support Democrats in forthcoming elections.
Speaking to NBC News, the president said, “He’ll have to pay very serious consequences if he does that,” while adding that he had “no intention of speaking to him.”
Tensions deepened when Musk posted a now-deleted claim that Trump appeared in undisclosed files connected to Epstein, the disgraced investment advisor who died in jail in 2019 while facing sex trafficking charges.
“Time to drop the really big bomb: (Trump) is in the Epstein files,” Musk posted, later urging followers to “mark this post for the future.”
However, no evidence was provided, and the posts were removed within days.
Trump dismissed the accusation as baseless and “old news,” noting that even Epstein’s own lawyer had publicly stated that Trump had no involvement in any crimes.
The public spat came as a surprise given their previously cordial relationship.
Musk served as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an advisory body under Trump tasked with cutting federal expenditures.
Despite the heated exchange, there are signs that Musk may be open to mending their relationship.
Sources close to the Tesla and SpaceX CEO told Reuters that his anger appears to be subsiding and that he may seek to repair ties with the president. Musk’s expression of regret came in the heat of escalating protests in Los Angeles over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.
Both Musk and Trump unanimously voiced support for decisive action to restore order in the area, aligning on the need for stronger enforcement measures.
Meanwhile, Trump has so far shown little interest in reconciliation.
“Our relationship is over,” he told CNN last weekend, though he added he wouldn’t object if Musk “called and wished him well.”
