The war of words between two of the world’s most polarizing billionaires just escalated — and this time, Donald Trump isn’t holding anything back.
In an impromptu exchange outside Trump Tower Tuesday morning, the former president was asked by a reporter how he felt about Elon Musk’s recent comments slamming him over the alleged Epstein file connections and calling him “an outdated conman.” Trump didn’t hesitate. Looking directly into the camera, he fired back with just five words: “I don’t respect him anymore.”
Trump on Elon: “I don’t respect him anymore.” That’s all he said — and then he walked away. Tense. #TrumpMuskFeud— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) June 4, 2025
The comment, brief but pointed, marks a stunning new chapter in the deteriorating relationship between Trump and Musk — a relationship that was once publicly cordial, even supportive. In fact, Musk had visited the White House multiple times during Trump’s presidency and even praised his deregulation policies in 2018.
But the tone shifted sharply in recent months. During a podcast interview last week with Lex Fridman, Musk accused Trump of “destroying American credibility” and hinted that the former president’s name may have appeared in Epstein-related materials that the DOJ is expected to unseal next month.
Musk says Trump “should be more worried about his name showing up where he doesn’t want it.” #EpsteinDocs #Trump— The Recount (@therecount) June 4, 2025
Trump’s camp quickly denounced the implication as “baseless and defamatory,” releasing a fiery statement via Truth Social calling Musk a “bitter tech bro with delusions of grandeur.” The former president went on to say, “I gave that man a platform. Now he uses it to slander the only leader who ever stood up for free enterprise.”
Musk wasn’t done. In a tweet that has now been viewed over 30 million times, he responded: “You didn’t give me a platform. I bought the platform. And I still don’t respect you.”
Elon Musk to Trump: “You didn’t give me a platform. I bought the platform.” #TruthVsX— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) June 4, 2025
The growing feud is not just a spectacle — it’s raising eyebrows in political and financial circles alike. Musk has hinted he might back a third-party presidential candidate in 2028, while Trump continues to campaign for his political comeback. The tech billionaire’s critiques of both Biden and Trump have positioned him as a potential kingmaker or disruptor in future elections.
Musk v Trump is more than drama. It’s the unraveling of an old alliance — and maybe the start of a new political power shift. #2028Race— Axios (@axios) June 4, 2025
Insiders say the bad blood began brewing after Trump’s attempts to use Truth Social to rival X (formerly Twitter), a platform Musk took over in 2022. While Truth Social has struggled to gain serious traction, Musk’s X has become more politically volatile, with the CEO frequently clashing with journalists, politicians, and now — former presidents.
Earlier this year, Trump reportedly reached out to Musk for a private meeting after the release of Musk’s controversial AI moderation plans. The meeting never materialized, and a source close to Musk told Politico, “He doesn’t trust Trump. He thinks Trump’s time has passed.”
That distrust now appears mutual.
Trump and Musk are done playing nice. This is going to get ugly — and potentially very political. #TrumpMusk— Rachel Maddow MSNBC (@maddow) June 4, 2025
Though Trump’s five-word dismissal may seem like a mic drop, some political analysts see it as a warning shot — a sign that the former president is preparing for a deeper public spat that could spill into campaign rhetoric or even courtrooms, depending on how the Epstein files shake out.
So far, neither camp has ruled out legal action over the allegations. Trump’s legal team has reportedly sent Musk a cease-and-desist letter demanding retraction, while Musk has dismissed it as “empty noise from a noisy man.”
Whether this ends in legal warfare or just more viral digs, one thing is clear: whatever fragile alliance once existed between Donald Trump and Elon Musk is officially over.
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