Post Criticizing Trump Deleted from X
Trump: “Assuming Relationship is Over”, Amid escalating tensions between Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, and former U.S. President Donald Trump, Musk has deleted posts targeting Trump on social media service X (formerly known as Twitter).
On the 7th (local time), U.S. economic media outlets like CNBC reported that the posts Musk had uploaded criticizing President Trump are no longer available on his X account. Previously, Musk had quoted a post by conservative political commentator Ian Miles Cheong stating “Trump should be impeached” with the comment, “Yes, a recession is expected in the second half of the year due to tariffs.” However, this post has since been deleted.
Additionally, on the 5th, amid a heated exchange with President Trump, Musk posted on X, “It’s time to drop the big bomb. Trump is in the ‘Epstein Files’ and that is the real reason (the files) haven’t been released.”
The ‘Epstein Files’ refer to documents related to the sex crimes of American financier Jeffrey Epstein. Between 2001 and 2006, Epstein engaged in sexual crimes with at least 36 underage victims. The case involves several influential figures in politics and business, and Musk claimed that ‘Trump is also involved.’ This post too has been deleted, and the White House has dismissed these claims as false.
The conflict seemed to be de-escalating, with Musk showing moves to resolve the situation by indicating intentions to continue collaborations with NASA, in which companies he owns are involved.
However, on the same day, in a phone interview with NBC News, President Trump was asked if he wanted to restore his damaged relationship with Musk and replied, “No.” When asked if he assumed the relationship with Musk was over, Trump said, “I assume so.” Regarding plans to speak with Musk, Trump emphasized, “I am too busy doing other things” and said, “I have no intention to talk to him.” He added, “He (Musk) was rude about the presidency, and I think that’s a very bad thing.”
President Trump warned that if Musk supports Democratic candidates to defeat Republican lawmakers who supported legislation reflecting his tax cut pledges, it would result in “very serious consequences.”