Elon Musk, the tech mogul behind Tesla and SpaceX, has accused U.S. President Donald Trump of being named in unreleased Jeffrey Epstein files, intensifying a public feud between the former allies.
In a Thursday post on X, Musk stated:
This accusation follows Musk’s resignation from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in May 2025, after criticizing Trump’s fiscal policies, particularly the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which he called a “disgusting abomination” for increasing national debt and cutting electric vehicle subsidies.
The rift has led to a 14% drop in Tesla’s stock value, with Trump threatening to terminate federal contracts with Musk’s companies.
The Epstein files, compiled by U.S. federal authorities, include flight logs, contact lists, and court records related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
While some documents were unsealed in January 2024 and February 2025, many remain redacted or sealed, prompting public demands for transparency.
U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi noted that the FBI is reviewing thousands of documents, with further releases pending redactions to protect victims.
Trump and Epstein were acquaintances in the 1980s and 1990s, with Trump quoted in a 2002 New York Magazine profile saying, “I’ve known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy. He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.”
Flight logs show Trump flew on Epstein’s jet at least seven times between 1993 and 1997.
Trump dismissed Musk’s criticisms during a Thursday meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, stating:
Musk, who claimed, “Without me, Trump would have lost the election,” has called for Trump’s impeachment and suggested forming a new political party.
The White House condemned Musk’s Epstein allegations, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt calling them “an unfortunate episode.”
As demands grow for the release of the full Epstein files, the public spat continues to fuel speculation and political division.