In an extraordinary clash between two of the most prominent figures in American public life, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has deleted a series of incendiary social media posts targeting President Donald Trump. The now-deleted messages included a bombshell accusation that Trump’s name appears in the sealed Jeffrey Epstein files, along with calls for the president’s impeachment and replacement by Vice President JD Vance. The dramatic turn marks a deepening rift in what was once considered a strategic political alliance between Musk and Trump.

On June 5, Musk posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account – “Time to drop the really big bomb: @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public.” The message, which quickly went viral before being taken down, concluded with a cryptic jab: “Have a nice day, DJT! Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out.”

In a follow-up response to another user, who had posted “Trump should be impeached” and that “JD Vance should replace him,” Musk replied with a simple “yes” – a post that also vanished hours later. The posts, albeit brief, triggered a political and financial storm, including significant market consequences and a bitter war of words.

The online eruption marked a stark departure from Musk’s previous alignment with Trump. In the run-up to the 2024 election, Musk not only publicly supported Trump’s bid for re-election but also channeled over $260 million into a political action committee that supported Trump-aligned candidates and initiatives. His support was rewarded with a high-profile government appointment in January 2025 to co-lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a newly created federal agency tasked with eliminating bureaucratic waste.

However, Musk abruptly resigned from DOGE last week, citing “irreconcilable policy differences.” Behind that vague explanation appears to lie a widening gulf over economic and political direction. The immediate source of tension was Trump’s signing of a sweeping tax-cut bill estimated to increase the US national debt by $2.4 trillion over the next decade. Musk called the legislation a “disgusting abomination,” blasting it as a handout to wealthy corporations and a betrayal of fiscal responsibility.

Trump, never one to back down from a public fight, retaliated by threatening to cancel federal contracts with Musk’s companies, including SpaceX and Tesla, a move that would dramatically affect the US space program and federal procurement of electric vehicles. What followed was a dizzying sequence of insults and threats on social media.

Musk accused Trump of “ingratitude” and even threatened to ground the United States’ entire commercial space launch capability by decommissioning the Dragon spacecraft. In response, Trump said Musk had “gone crazy” and claimed the billionaire was lashing out because the administration had ended the controversial electric vehicle (EV) mandate, which had funneled billions into Tesla through tax incentives and procurement deals.

Investors reacted swiftly to the chaos. Tesla stock plummeted 14.2% by the close of trading on June 5, erasing approximately $152 billion in market capitalization. Analysts noted that the company’s value was not only impacted by fears of losing federal support but also by concerns over Musk’s increasingly erratic behavior.

Trump Media & Technology Group, which owns the Truth Social platform and other media ventures aligned with the president, also took a hit. Its stock fell 8% the same day, as the public feud signaled internal fractures within the conservative and pro-business coalition.

Financial analysts warned that if the dispute continues, it could trigger broader market unease – especially considering the central role both men play in shaping US tech, media, and political narratives.

The centerpiece of Musk’s deleted attack was the claim that President Trump is named in sealed Epstein files – a suggestion that would have explosive implications if proven true. The Epstein case continues to haunt American politics, with allegations that powerful figures were involved in sex trafficking rings run by the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.

In July 2019, Epstein was arrested on federal charges related to sex trafficking of minors. He died a month later in a Manhattan jail cell, in what was officially ruled a suicide – a finding that has since become the subject of widespread skepticism and conspiracy theories.

In February 2025, US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the first phase of the Epstein files’ release. The materials included some correspondence and partial documentation, but key sections – including the highly anticipated flight logs, client names, and black book contact lists – remained under court seal. The decision to withhold those files has only fueled speculation that they contain damning information about some of the world’s most influential individuals.

Musk’s assertion that Trump is one of those individuals adds new pressure on the administration to be transparent. Yet the billionaire offered no proof, and his quick deletion of the post suggests either a retraction or a legal caution – or both.

Neither Musk nor his representatives have commented on the deleted posts. The White House has also declined to issue a formal response, though sources close to the administration described Musk’s comments as “reckless” and “potentially defamatory.”

Trump himself, who has denied any wrongdoing or association with Epstein beyond a handful of known public encounters, has not directly addressed the accusation but posted on Truth Social that “the deep state is pushing lies to destroy the America First movement.”

Legal experts say that if Musk’s claims are unsubstantiated, they could open him to defamation suits – especially given the high-profile nature of the accusation and its clear targeting of a public figure. However, if there is evidence to support his claims, it could pose serious legal and political risks for Trump.

Whether Musk’s explosive claim is based on credible insider knowledge or mere speculation, the damage may already be done. The feud has splintered a powerful alliance and shaken confidence in both political and corporate institutions. It also intensifies scrutiny on the Epstein files, which continue to loom like a shadow over elite circles.

As the 2026 midterms approach, the public appetite for transparency is growing, and Musk’s deleted post may have ensured that the issue won’t quietly fade. For Trump, the incident may prove to be a storm – or the spark that ignites a political firestorm far larger than either man anticipated.

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