Bitterness and anger have been in the air since Musk was formally thanked in the White House last week for his efforts to slaughter federal authorities.
The struggle at a high level has direct political and economic consequences. Trump threatens to stop all federal contracts with Musk's many companies – but perhaps most with his space company Space X.
Musk responded by immediately stopping all the trips with the Dragon spacecraft that the US space agency Nasa had planned. The spacecraft has taken astronauts to the International Space Station.
At the same time, the stock price of Tesla plummeted on the stock exchange.
Dramatic day
The intensified attacks followed Trump's attack on Musk, since Musk earlier in the week characterized Trump's personally important budget proposal as "a disgusting thing" full of unnecessary pork.
Trump's response came at a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday – where the battle with Musk took off.
So, Elon and I had a fantastic relationship. I don't know if we'll have it anymore. I was surprised, said Trump referring to Musk's comment on the budget proposal.
Musk quickly commented on Trump's statement.
"Ah," wrote Musk on the platform X and then commented on Trump's claim that Musk had insight into the proposed budget. "False," wrote Musk.
Trump responded by threatening to cancel all federal contracts with Musk's companies; the best way to save billions for the US treasury, according to Trump.
Referenced Epstein
Then Musk chose to take a direct threat against President Trump. He said he would come with a major revelation.
Since then, Musk wrote on X that the president is included in "the documents surrounding Epstein," referring to the investigation into the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who committed suicide before a pending trial.
According to reports to, among others, The New York Times, Musk also had a personal relationship with Epstein.
Musk also wrote that it was time to start a new party in the US, and then came with a general reflection:
"A little food for thought for those who think: Trump has 3.5 years left as president while I will be around for 40+ years."
