Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and X (formerly Twitter), has publicly expressed regret over a series of inflammatory social media posts targeting President Donald Trump—signaling a possible de-escalation in a high-profile feud that rocked both Wall Street and Washington.
Musk posted on X:
“I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far.”
This statement follows days of online attacks from Musk criticizing Trump’s legislative proposals, specifically a new economic bill Musk had labeled “a disgusting abomination.” He also made controversial suggestions linking Trump to unreleased Epstein files—claims that have since been deleted.
🚨 Musk vs. Trump: What Sparked the Clash?
The fallout began when Musk publicly denounced a Trump-endorsed bill as “corrupt” and “deeply anti-innovation,” accusing the administration of harming American technology leadership. The comments came shortly after Musk stepped down from his advisory role in the Department of Government Efficiency, citing disagreements with federal priorities under Trump.
In response, Trump dismissed Musk, saying,
“I wish him well, but I’m not even thinking about Elon.”
He later confirmed the end of their personal and political relationship, calling Musk’s behavior “disappointing.”
📉 Market Impacts and Business Ramifications
The feud had immediate consequences in the financial world. Tesla’s stock price dropped more than 5% following Musk’s tirades, though it rebounded slightly after the apology post. Investors were alarmed not only by the CEO’s aggressive political stance but by concerns over how this could affect Tesla’s government contracts and regulatory standing.
Analysts at Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs speculated that Musk’s original posts may have been a tactical move to pressure policymakers or distract from xAI’s funding needs. However, his recent regret appears to undercut theories that this was a long-term strategy.
🔍 What Musk’s Apology Signals
Musk’s tone shift could be strategic. With billions of dollars in federal contracts tied to Tesla and SpaceX, maintaining a functional relationship with any sitting or future president is key. Although Trump is no longer in office, he remains the GOP frontrunner for 2024, and his influence over federal policy remains significant.
Whether Musk is looking to rebuild political bridges or simply stabilize Tesla’s stock, his statement marks a rare public reversal from a figure known for doubling down.
🏛️ Broader Implications for Tech and Politics
This feud underscores the increasingly entangled relationship between tech CEOs and American politics. Musk, as head of Tesla, SpaceX, X, and xAI, holds a unique place in the U.S. innovation ecosystem—one that depends heavily on political goodwill.
With the 2024 election approaching, both Trump and Musk stand as cultural lightning rods in their own right. How this relationship evolves could have ripple effects across technology regulation, infrastructure development, and even AI governance.
