Trump and Musk Hint at Truce After Explosive Billionaire Showdown

In what has been one of the most public and unpredictable political clashes in recent memory, former allies Donald Trump and Elon Musk appear to be inching toward an uneasy peace. The tech tycoon and the U.S. President, both known for their brash style and bold statements, have spent the past week trading sharp words and social media blows. But signs of a possible détente emerged late Thursday — much to the relief of political insiders and market watchers alike.

The feud, sparked by Musk’s fierce criticism of the President’s sweeping new legislation — a cornerstone of the administration’s economic vision — reached its peak as Musk accused Trump of betraying fiscal conservatism. The bill, dubbed the “big beautiful bill” by Trump, includes massive tax cuts and tough immigration measures but is estimated to balloon the federal deficit by $2.4 trillion. That number was enough to send Musk into overdrive on X (formerly Twitter), where he blasted the spending plan and hinted that Trump had “lost the plot.”

In response, Donald Trump dismissed Musk’s opposition as “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” even threatening to withdraw federal subsidies and government contracts from Musk’s ventures, including Tesla and SpaceX. At one point, the former megabacker accused Trump of hiding links to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal — a claim that sent shockwaves through Washington and Wall Street.

But as tensions reached boiling point, a subtle shift occurred. Behind closed doors, White House aides reportedly urged the President to turn his focus back to passing the bill rather than continuing the online war of words. Trump’s latest post on Truth Social appeared to reflect that advice: “I don’t mind Elon turning against me, but he should have done so months ago. This is one of the Greatest Bills ever presented to Congress,” he wrote, returning to the agenda at hand.

On the other side, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO seemed to slightly soften his stance. After billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman posted a call for unity — “I support @realDonaldTrump and @elonmusk and they should make peace for the benefit of our great country” — Musk simply replied, “You’re not wrong.”

Political analysts now speculate that both men, despite their egos and animosities, recognize the mutual value of collaboration. The President needs corporate confidence to pass his legislation, and Musk — despite his growing political ambitions — cannot afford a prolonged war with the federal government that props up many of his ventures.

Meanwhile, the markets took note. Tesla stock took a nosedive during the height of the drama, losing a staggering $152.4 billion in value in a single day — the steepest drop in its history. Investors, already wary of interest rate pressures and policy uncertainty, saw the feud as a threat to regulatory favor and leadership stability.

What happens next remains uncertain. Will the truce hold? Or is this just the eye of a larger storm between two titans with enormous reach and unshakable egos? For now, all eyes remain glued to Washington and Silicon Valley, waiting for the next move in this high-stakes chess game.