Lost His Mind’ vs. ‘Fizzle Out’: The Trump-Musk Feud Ignites a Firestorm

Category: News & Politics
Subcategory: U.S. News & Politics
Published on Boncopia.com
Date: June 08, 2025, 2:00 PM PDT

A once-unbreakable alliance has erupted into a public war of words, captivating the nation. U.S. President Donald Trump, in a fiery phone interview with ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl, declared that Elon Musk “lost his mind,” while the tech CEO’s father, Errol Musk, urged his son to “make sure this fizzles out.” What sparked this dramatic clash between two of America’s most powerful figures? From social media salvos to high-stakes policy disputes, here’s a deep dive into the Trump-Musk feud, its roots, and its potential to reshape politics and business.

The Bombshell Interview: Trump’s Stinging Rebuke

On Friday, June 6, 2025, President Donald Trump didn’t hold back. In a phone interview with ABC News’ Jonathan Karl, conducted shortly before 7 a.m., Trump was asked about reports of a scheduled call with Elon Musk later that day. His response was scathing: “You mean the man who has lost his mind?” Trump said he was “not particularly” interested in talking to Musk, adding that the billionaire wanted to speak but he wasn’t ready to engage. The president’s blunt dismissal, delivered hours after a blistering exchange, stunned observers and set the tone for a day of escalating tensions.

Trump’s frustration spilled over as he addressed other priorities—touting inflation (down), foreign investment (up), and his “huge” plans for a visit to China. Yet, sources close to the president revealed a deeper sentiment: he was “more sad than angry,” with one adviser noting Trump seemed “bummed” about the breakup of their once-close alliance.

Errol Musk Weighs In: A Plea to De-escalate

From the Delhi Airport lounge, Elon Musk’s father, Errol Musk, offered a contrasting perspective in an interview with Al Arabiya English. Admitting he hadn’t spoken directly to his son, Errol revealed he sent a message urging Elon to “make sure this fizzles out.” He predicted Trump would “prevail” because “he has been voted in by the majority of the people in America.” Blaming “a great deal of stress” for Elon’s actions, Errol’s comments painted a picture of a family hoping to calm the storm, even as the feud raged on.

Errol’s intervention added a personal layer to the saga, raising eyebrows about the pressures facing the world’s richest man. Was this a father’s pragmatic advice or a sign of deeper concern? The public latched onto this subplot, with X posts buzzing about the family dynamic amid a high-stakes political clash.

The Spark: A Bill and a War of Words

The feud ignited on Thursday, June 5, 2025, rooted in Elon Musk’s sharp criticism of Trump’s signature “One Big Beautiful Bill.” This legislation, blending tax cuts, immigration reforms, and boosts to military and border spending, passed the House by a single vote but faces resistance in the Senate. Musk, a vocal fiscal hawk, called it a “disgusting abomination,” warning it would add $3 trillion to the deficit over a decade, undermining efforts to curb government spending—efforts he once championed alongside Trump.

Musk’s attacks didn’t stop there. On X, he claimed Trump would have lost the 2024 election without his support, which included nearly $300 million in donations. He even backed calls for Trump’s impeachment and made an explosive, unproven claim: that Trump was “in” the Epstein files tied to the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Trump hit back, decrying Musk’s “ingratitude” and, via aides, even considered ditching the red Tesla Model S he’d bought to show support.

A Social Media Meltdown

Thursday’s war of words unfolded in real time on X, turning the platform into a battleground. Musk’s posts were relentless, slamming the bill and Trump personally: “Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate.” He added, “Such ingratitude,” fueling a firestorm of reactions. Trump, meanwhile, leaned on Truth Social and interviews, dismissing Musk’s claims and doubling down on his focus: passing the bill to “make our country great again.”

By Friday, signs of de-escalation flickered. Musk appeared to soften, agreeing with an X post calling for the two to “make peace.” He also responded to a user’s advice with, “Good advice. Ok, we won’t decommission Dragon,” a nod to SpaceX’s spacecraft program. Yet Trump remained unmoved, brushing off the feud as less interesting than his Thursday agenda.

The Backstory: From Allies to Adversaries

Once, Trump and Musk were a power duo. In March 2025, they posed together in a red Tesla Model S on the White House South Lawn, a bizarre pop-up showroom moment after protests against Musk’s role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Trump praised Musk’s cost-cutting ideas, and Musk’s $270-$300 million in 2024 campaign donations cemented their bond.

Tensions simmered, though. Musk’s criticism of the bill clashed with Trump’s agenda, and reports surfaced of disagreements over trade policy, AI deals with rivals like OpenAI, and the withdrawal of Musk ally Jared Isaacman’s NASA nomination. By June, the alliance crumbled, with Trump reportedly “very disappointed” and Musk feeling sidelined.

The Stakes: Politics, Business, and Power

This feud isn’t just personal—it’s seismic. For Musk, Trump’s threat to cancel SpaceX’s multi-billion-dollar contracts endangers his space ambitions. The bill’s cuts to energy tax credits also hit Tesla, with sources claiming Musk’s grievances extend beyond spending to personal slights.

For Trump, Musk’s attacks complicate his push for the bill, a cornerstone of his “make America great again” vision. The White House called the feud “an unfortunate episode from Elon, who doesn’t like the One Big Beautiful Bill because it doesn’t include his policies,” per press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Losing Musk’s support—and X’s influence—could dent Trump’s sway with voters ahead of the 2026 midterms.

The public is split. X posts show some cheering Trump’s defiance, others backing Musk as a check on power. This divide mirrors broader tensions: populism versus innovation, loyalty versus critique.

What’s Next: Peace or Escalation?

As of June 8, 2025, the feud teeters on a knife’s edge. Trump, en route to his New Jersey golf club, told reporters he’s “not thinking about Elon Musk, I just wish him well,” while mulling cuts to SpaceX subsidies “if it’s fair.” Musk’s softer tone hints at a possible truce, but his history of defiance suggests he won’t back down easily.

Reconciliation would require compromise—Musk tempering his attacks, Trump easing threats. Without it, legal battles, policy shifts, or even Musk funding anti-Trump efforts in 2026 loom as risks. The Washington Post notes Trump’s approval rating is slipping, and this feud could deepen the slide.

Why It Grips Us: A Clash of Titans

The Trump-Musk saga is a blockbuster—two outsized personalities, once allies, now clashing over power, policy, and pride. It’s a window into America’s fractured landscape, where social media amplifies feuds, and billionaires and presidents wield unmatched influence. Trump’s “lost his mind” jab and Errol Musk’s “fizzle out” plea encapsulate the stakes: a battle that’s personal, political, and profound.

Will they mend fences, or will this feud redefine America’s future? As we watch, tweet, and debate, one thing’s clear: this drama is far from over.

Thought Questions for Readers:

1. Who bears more responsibility for this feud—Trump for his reaction or Musk for his criticism? Why?

2. How might this clash impact SpaceX, Tesla, and U.S. policy on innovation and spending?

3. Does Errol Musk’s call to “fizzle out” reflect a realistic hope, or is this rift too deep to heal?

4. What does this public spat reveal about the power of social media in shaping political and personal conflicts?

Published by Boncopia.com
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Note: Information from web sources and X posts has been used to capture the feud’s scope and sentiment but treated as inconclusive where unverified, especially on sensitive claims. Readers are encouraged to seek reputable sources for further clarity.