The digital dust has barely settled from the explosive June 5, 2025, showdown between Donald Trump and Elon Musk on X, but the saga of their fractured alliance continues to ripple through Washington, Wall Street, and the global stage. What began as a policy dispute over Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” has morphed into a high-stakes game of political chess, with both men retreating from their most incendiary attacks yet signaling no immediate reconciliation. As of June 9, 2025, the feud has entered a quieter but no less tense phase, with new developments hinting at deeper consequences for America’s political and economic future. Here’s the latest on this billionaire brawl and where it might lead next.
A Pause in the Social Media Salvo
After Thursday’s fiery exchange, where Trump threatened to gut Musk’s government contracts and Musk retaliated with baseless claims about Trump’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein’s files, both men have dialed back their public attacks. By June 6, Musk appeared to delete some of his most provocative X posts, including the Epstein accusation and a response endorsing Trump’s impeachment, with X pages now displaying “Hmm…this page doesn’t exist” for those posts. Meanwhile, Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One on Friday, downplayed the feud, saying he was “not even thinking about” Musk and wished him well, though he added a pointed jab: “He’s got a lot of money. He gets a lot of subsidy. So we’ll take a look at that.”
This cooling-off followed interventions from allies and family. Musk’s father, Errol Musk, speaking from Delhi Airport, urged his son to let the feud “fizzle out,” predicting Trump would prevail as the “majority’s choice.” Celebrities and politicians, from Kanye West pleading, “Broooos please nooooo,” to Sen. Adam Schiff joking about needing a “Big Beautiful Bucket of popcorn,” weighed in, reflecting the feud’s cultural resonance. Behind closed doors, administration officials and Musk’s confidants scrambled to broker peace, but Musk’s Epstein claim was described as a “tipping point,” making reconciliation elusive.
Shifting Battlegrounds
While the social media volleys have slowed, the feud’s stakes remain sky-high. Trump’s threats to review Musk’s federal contracts—worth billions for SpaceX and Tesla—have rattled investors. Tesla’s stock, which plummeted 14.3% on June 5, wiping out $150 billion in market value, rebounded slightly by 4% in pre-market trading on June 6, but the threat of regulatory crackdowns looms. Musk’s brief threat to decommission SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, critical for NASA’s International Space Station operations, was walked back after an X user’s plea, but it underscored his willingness to play hardball.
Musk, meanwhile, has pivoted to political posturing. On June 6, he launched an X poll asking if a new “America Party” for centrists was needed, with 80% of respondents agreeing. “The people have spoken,” Musk declared, hinting at a potential new political venture. This move, supported by figures like Mark Cuban, suggests Musk may channel his influence into reshaping the political landscape, leveraging his 200 million X followers to challenge both parties.
Trump, undeterred, is pushing forward with his legislative agenda. The “Big Beautiful Bill,” which Musk called a “disgusting abomination” for its $2.4 trillion deficit increase, faces a tough Senate vote. Musk’s opposition has emboldened some fiscal conservatives, with GOP Rep. Tim Burchett siding with Trump but acknowledging the bill’s contentiousness. Trump’s team insists the bill is on track for his desk by July 4, but Musk’s sway could complicate passage in a narrowly divided Congress.
Behind the Scenes: Retaliation and Reflection
Privately, Trump has been less restrained. Sources report he’s called Musk “a big-time drug addict” in conversations, referencing Musk’s admitted ketamine use, though Trump dodged questions about Musk’s drug use publicly. White House officials are discussing retaliatory measures, including scrutinizing Musk’s contracts, with one official noting Trump may sell his red Tesla Model S, purchased in March as a show of support. Meanwhile, Steve Bannon, a Trump ally, escalated tensions by calling for Musk’s deportation and an investigation into his immigration status, a provocative but legally dubious suggestion.
Musk’s camp, however, sees the feud as partly theatrical. Some X users, like
@jefe_tweets, argue it’s a calculated distraction with “minimal long-term consequences,” noting Trump secured Musk’s campaign support and DOGE reforms, while Musk gained influence. Others, like
@stevelevine, warn that Trump’s threats could force Musk to back down to protect Tesla and SpaceX from regulatory fallout. Musk’s softer tone late Thursday, agreeing to keep Dragon operational, suggests he’s aware of the risks to his business empire.
What’s Next?
The feud’s trajectory remains uncertain, but several scenarios loom:
- Continued Standoff: Trump’s refusal to call Musk and his focus on policy suggest a prolonged chill. Musk’s deletion of posts indicates a tactical retreat, but his poll on a new party shows he’s not ceding influence. This could lead to ongoing sniping, with Musk using X to sway public and congressional opinion against Trump’s agenda.
- Business Fallout: Trump’s contract review threat could materialize, targeting SpaceX’s NASA deals or Tesla’s subsidies. This would hit Musk’s bottom line, potentially forcing him to mend fences or double down on political activism. Tesla’s stock volatility reflects investor fears, and a regulatory crackdown could further erode confidence.
- Political Realignment: Musk’s “America Party” idea, while speculative, could disrupt the GOP’s coalition. His $300 million in 2024 campaign spending and X’s reach make him a formidable player. If he funds anti-Trump candidates, as suggested by The New York Times, it could fracture Republican unity ahead of midterms.
- Reconciliation Attempt: Allies like Bill Ackman and Ye may push for a truce, but Musk’s Epstein claim and Trump’s personal attacks make this unlikely in the short term. A scheduled call reported by Politico for June 6 didn’t materialize, and administration officials say no talks are planned.
The Bigger Picture
This feud transcends a personal spat, reflecting the fragility of alliances built on convenience. Trump and Musk, once united by mutual benefit, now expose the limits of loyalty when egos and interests collide. X, as the feud’s battleground, amplifies every move, with memes comparing the duo to “Mean Girls” or Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar flooding the platform. The entertainment world, from Jon Stewart’s quips to Jack White’s scathing “nazi clowns” jab, underscores the feud’s cultural weight.
For Trump, the rift risks alienating a key donor and influencer, complicating his legislative push. For Musk, it’s a gamble—his businesses face scrutiny, but his X megaphone gives him leverage to shape narratives. As
@abc3340 reported on June 9, Trump warned Musk of “serious consequences” if he backs Democrats, signaling the feud could escalate further.
The Musk-Trump feud, while quieter as of June 9, 2025, is far from resolved. With Musk hinting at a new political party and Trump eyeing contract reviews, the stakes remain high. This clash of titans—fueled by policy, pride, and billions—continues to captivate, with X as the stage and the world as the audience. Whether it fizzles or flares anew, one thing is clear: in the arena of power, no bromance is bulletproof.
