Elon Musk Apologizes for Social Media Posts Amid Dispute with Donald Trump

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has publicly apologised for a series of controversial social media posts targeting U.S. President Donald Trump. The posts, shared last week on Musk’s platform X (formerly known as Twitter), intensified a growing rift between the two influential figures.

The dispute began on June 3, when Musk openly criticised the “Big Beauty Full” bill — a legislative proposal endorsed by Trump. Musk argued that the bill would negatively impact government operations and worsen the federal budget deficit. This disagreement ultimately led to Musk stepping away from a role in a government advisory agency, and Tesla experienced financial turbulence as a result.

Following the backlash, Musk deleted several posts that had drawn sharp criticism. One post suggested a link between Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, which the White House swiftly denied. Another post supporting Trump’s impeachment was also taken down. The exchanges largely unfolded on social media, with Musk using X and Trump responding on his platform, Truth Social.

On June 10, Musk posted an apology, acknowledging that he had “crossed a line” and expressing regret over how the situation escalated. He noted that while he stands by his right to critique public policy, his tone and some statements were “unhelpful and personal”.

Despite the recent fallout, there are signs of possible reconciliation. Trump, speaking on June 9, said the White House would continue to use Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service and expressed well wishes toward the tech billionaire. He also hinted at a possible future conversation, suggesting the door remains open for dialogue.