Elon Musk issued a public apology to President Donald Trump after a heated online feud over budget legislation, defusing political tension and triggering gains for his companies.
At a Glance
- Musk publicly apologized for “went too far” posts about Trump on June 11, following criticism of Trump’s budget bill
- The apology followed private discussions with Trump allies, including Vice President J.D. Vance and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles
- Trump accepted the apology, calling it “very nice,” and said he held no hard feelings
- Tesla’s stock rebounded by approximately 2–2.6% after the apology, helping reverse a prior decline triggered by the feud
- Musk had threatened to start a new political party and accused Trump of hiding Jeffrey Epstein files before backtracking
Roots of the Feud
The confrontation began on June 3 when Musk denounced Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” as “a disgusting abomination,” citing concerns over ballooning deficits. Trump responded by criticizing Musk from the Oval Office on June 5, accusing him of hypocrisy and undermining the bill’s success.
Tensions peaked when Musk threatened to start a third political party and posted cryptic allegations regarding Trump’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump retaliated by suggesting Musk’s government contracts might be revoked, escalating the conflict into a personal and political standoff.
A Strategic Retreat
Faced with economic and political blowback, Musk initiated private backchannel diplomacy via Vice President J.D. Vance and Trump’s Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. This led to a direct call with Trump on June 10. The following day, Musk posted on X: “I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far.”
Trump responded, calling the apology “very nice”, and affirmed that there were no lingering hard feelings.
Business and Political Ramifications
The détente had an immediate financial effect. Tesla shares rebounded by roughly 2–2.6%, reversing part of the 14% decline that occurred during the feud. Musk personally regained an estimated $191 million, with his net worth climbing to approximately $411.4 billion.
From a political standpoint, the reconciliation signals a renewed pragmatism. Trump’s willingness to forgive and Musk’s calculated retreat suggest both men see mutual benefit in cooperation—especially with the upcoming robotaxi launch scheduled for June 22 in Texas.
A Fragile Cease-Fire
Despite the apology, the underlying tensions remain. Musk’s past criticisms of government spending, inflammatory social posts, and erratic political alliances suggest this cease-fire may be temporary. In interviews, Musk’s father alluded to his son’s “PTSD” from Washington, hinting at lasting strain behind the scenes.
For now, the apology restores political balance and market stability—but how long this détente holds remains anyone’s guess.
