Billionaire Breakup: Trump vs Musk explodes with impeachment, third party, Epstein threats
Showdown between former 'co-presidents' centers on spending, debt concerns in massive 'Big Beautiful Bill'
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WASHINGTON _ The bromance breakup between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk is reaching new levels of messiness, with attacks from both sides escalating on social media following Musk’s repeated calls for Republicans to vote against Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.”
The two men took to their respective platforms to bash each other, with the president threatening to cut off Musk’s government contracts, while Musk went as far as linking Trump to Jeffrey Epstein—escalating tensions into fever-dream levels of chaos.
The caterwauling between two of the most powerful men in the world—one the president, the other the richest, with access to the highest levels of multiple nations—comes as the Senate is vetting the massive “Big Beautiful Bill” passed by the House last week.
The expansive measure includes everything from extensive tax cuts and the end of Medicaid subsidies to provisions limiting states’ powers to regulate AI, as well as new restrictions on judges’ powers of injunction. It has increasingly become a target of fiscal conservatives—including Musk—who are concerned about the trillions it would add to the annual deficit and overall national debt.
Musk has spent days railing against the sweeping reconciliation bill, which is aimed at advancing Trump’s top priorities, including increased funding for border security and ICE agents, as well as energy reforms.
Musk has called for those who support the bill to be voted out of office.
He formally left his role as a top White House adviser last week—amid varying reports on the reasons why, ranging from a fraying relationship with Trump to the expiration of his “special government employee” term.
However, signs of tension between the two had already emerged, including Musk’s attacks on Trump’s bill for adding trillions to the deficit and the White House’s withdrawal of the nomination of Musk ally Jared Isaacman to lead NASA.
“Elon was ‘wearing thin.’ I asked him to leave. I took away his EV mandate that forced everyone to buy electric cars that nobody wanted (and he knew for months I was going to do it!), and he just went CRAZY!” Trump posted on Truth Social.
“Time to drop the really big bomb: @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!” Musk posted on X.
Controversial rapper Kanye West interjected on X, chiming in: “Broooos please noooooo We love you both so much.”
Conservative influencer Ashley St. Claire — the mother of one of Musk’s children — also weighed in to back Trump in the feud, posting: “hey @realDonaldTrump lmk if u need any breakup advice.”
At one point, Musk quoted a post calling for Trump to be impeached and replaced by Vice President JD Vance, endorsing the move and calling for the creation of a new political party. He cited concerns over changes to energy credits, raising the debt ceiling, and increasing the deficit. He also took aim at House Speaker Mike Johnson for supporting the bill.
“Where is the Mike Johnson of 2023!?” Musk posted on X.
Johnson defended his record, responding: “The Mike Johnson of 2023 is the SAME Mike Johnson who has always been a lifelong fiscal hawk—who now serves as Speaker and is implementing a multi-stage plan to get our country back to fiscal responsibility and extraordinary economic growth. It begins with the critically important One Big Beautiful Bill that includes the LARGEST mandatory spending cut to the federal government in history (by almost 400%), the LARGEST tax cut in history, the LARGEST investment in border security in a GENERATION, along with arguably the STRONGEST collection of pro-growth provisions EVER passed. The same CONSISTENT Mike Johnson who has ALWAYS supported the America First Agenda.”
Shortly after, Johnson—wielding a baby while walking toward the House floor—told reporters, “Elon is a friend. I texted him, called him this morning as we were scheduled to speak, and we haven't yet.”
Many Congressional Republicans have dismissed concerns raised by Musk, but a sizable number of Senate Republicans have stated their concerns with adding to the national debt, particularly after one of the Big Three credit rating agencies (Moody’s) downgraded America’s bond rating.
Republican lawmakers had mixed views on whether the relationship between Trump and Musk could be repaired.
“I wish I could say yes, but again, both of them have done so much good for the country. Look at what Elon did—he didn't have to do this, and I respect him for what he's done. It’s unfortunate. When I read those tweets, it’s just unfortunate,” said Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.).
House Foreign Affairs Chairman Brian Mast (R-Fla.) was more optimistic about a potential reconciliation, adding, “I think we'll see great growth out of the bill. Hopefully they get it through the Senate.”
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Interesting: Pious Mike Johnson - who lists porn alongside his religious interests - inserts himself between his two champion womanizers. WWJD?
The richest man in the world and the most powerful man in the world - supposedly adults - call taunts and threats across the schoolyard. Who’s gonna throw a punch? Neither—all boast, no balls.