Multiple allies caught in the middle of the implosion between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk were delicately attempting to broker peace between the two men on Thursday when their quiet conversations were disrupted by a post on X.
A number of mutual associates were discreetly working behind the scenes on Thursday, aiming to calm tensions between former President Donald Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk. But just as progress seemed possible, a disruptive message appeared on X.
“Time to drop the really big bomb: @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!” Musk posted, leaving allies of both men in shock.
Sources familiar with the private efforts to mediate the dispute described the post as a breaking point — a dramatic escalation that shifted the conflict from policy disagreements to personal attacks. The explosive Epstein reference, in particular, left many fearing that reconciliation was now out of reach.
What had started as a debate over legislation had turned into a deeply personal feud between two of the country’s most influential figures.
Inside the White House, staffers spent much of Thursday locked to their phones, monitoring the conflict unfold across X and Truth Social. Aides shared real-time updates in group chats, comparing the drama to a messy divorce. Some noted they had expected a fallout eventually — just not so soon.
“I figured maybe August,” one staffer reportedly told CNN.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the situation Thursday evening, calling Musk’s post disappointing.
“This is an unfortunate episode from Elon, who is frustrated with the One Big Beautiful Bill because it doesn’t reflect the priorities he pushed for. The President remains focused on moving forward with this historic legislation and on restoring greatness to the nation,” Leavitt stated to CNN.
Musk has yet to explain how he accessed any supposed Epstein-related documents or provided any proof to back his allegations about Trump.
The dispute had been building all week, especially after Musk — who recently concluded a brief advisory role with the administration — voiced strong opposition to Trump’s legislative proposal moving through Congress.
Things came to a head Thursday afternoon on social media, with Trump hinting at terminating Musk’s government contracts, and Musk retaliating with the Epstein post, referring to the late financier who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking.
“I can deal with Elon turning against me, but the timing is off,” Trump commented on Truth Social, expressing frustration that the feud erupted while he was pushing for key policy wins.
Musk responded by calling for Trump’s impeachment, threatening to shut down the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft — the same one used to ferry NASA astronauts — and warning that Trump’s economic policies could push the U.S. into a recession.
By Thursday night, however, Musk appeared to soften his stance, reversing his threat about the Dragon spacecraft after an X user suggested both men should take a step back and cool off.
“Good advice,” Musk replied. “Ok, we won’t decommission Dragon.”
Billionaire investor Bill Ackman also weighed in on X, encouraging unity: “I support @realDonaldTrump and @elonmusk and believe they should reconcile for the good of the country. Together we are stronger.”
“You’re not wrong,” Musk replied.