Trump-Musk row explodes as billionaire claims President named in Epstein files

In a dramatic escalation of their public feud, tech billionaire Elon Musk has accused U.S. President Donald Trump of being named in the sealed Jeffrey Epstein files, suggesting this as the reason for the documents’ continued secrecy. The accusation, made on Musk’s social media platform X, has intensified tensions between the two former allies.

“Donald Trump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public,” Musk posted, providing no evidence to support his claim. He further called for Trump’s impeachment, marking a significant departure from his previous support for the president.

The White House swiftly dismissed Musk’s allegations, attributing them to his dissatisfaction with the recently passed “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which Musk criticized for increasing the national deficit and reducing subsidies for electric vehicles—a move directly impacting Tesla.

In retaliation, President Trump threatened to revoke federal contracts and tax incentives benefiting Musk’s companies. This exchange contributed to a significant market reaction, with Tesla’s stock plunging by 14.2%, erasing approximately $152 billion in market value.

The feud has attracted widespread political attention, with Democrats renewing calls for transparency regarding the Epstein investigation. While Trump’s past associations with Epstein have been documented, including appearances in flight logs and social events, no conclusive evidence has linked him to Epstein’s criminal activities.

As the dispute unfolds, it underscores the volatile intersection of politics, personal relationships, and business interests at the highest levels of power.