Musk vs. Trump: Does the dispute over Epstein threaten to ruin the chances of choice?

Musk vs. Trump: Does the dispute over Epstein threaten to ruin the chances of choice?

Washington, D.C., USA - Elon Musk is at the center of a excavation conflict with former US President Donald Trump, with the dispute being fueled by controversial claims about Trump's entanglement into the Epstein affair. On June 5, 2025, Musk said in a post on his social network X (formerly Twitter) that Trump was mentioned in the so-called "Epstein files". This claim implies that this is the reason for the lack of publication of these files. However, no evidence has been presented for his claim, which further fueled the excitement about the topic. The White House did not react to the allegations and questioned the validity of Musk's claims, while Trump was demonstrated by Musk's comments, which he described as the "loss of the mind".

The background to this escalation is a legislative initiative that Trump supports and provides for tax and expenditure reforms. Elon Musk sharply criticized this law as "disgusting hideousness" and questioned why he previously had no problems with the provisions until he learned about cuts in subsidies for electric vehicles. The differences between the two heavyweights of American life not only have personal dimensions, but could also result in political consequences for the Republican Party, as many members fear that this dispute could endanger Trump's legacy.

The Epstein affair in focus

Jeffrey Epstein, who died in prison in 2019, was convicted of sexual violence on minors. Trump's name appeared in the approved documents for the Epstein affair, but he was not accused of misconduct. Trump and Epstein were in contact in the 1990s and flew together at least seven times. Since then, Trump has emphasized that he distanced himself from Epstein and that the dispute between them had already started 15 years before Epstein's death.

Musk, who is the richest person in the world with a fortune of over $ 300 billion, has invested over $ 250 million in Trump's election campaign. Despite this financial relationships, their former partnership has changed, which is also reflected in the public. An offensive by Bill Ackman, an investor, for reconciliation between Musk and Trump has so far not shown any fruits. Trump stayed away from a personal conversation with Musk and announced that he was busy without thinking about it, but musically he enjoys success.

The effects of this argument are already clearly visible: Tesla shares suffered a dramatic decline of 14.3%on Thursday, which led to a loss of around $ 150 billion in market capitalization. Critics, including Vice President JD Vance, warned Musk that he made a big mistake with his attacks on Trump. Vance expressed hope that Musk and Trump could get along again because such outbreaks are human.

In the middle of this turbulent dynamic between Musk and Trump, it is unclear how public perception and political climate will develop. The dispute between the two personalities continues to be pursued, while political motivations and personal conflicts provide deeper insights into relationships within the American elite.