Tech billionaire Elon Musk has publicly expressed regret over his recent criticisms of US President Donald Trump, following a highly publicized and bitter dispute over a controversial federal spending bill and explosive allegations posted on Musk’s social platform, X.

“I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far,” Musk posted on Wednesday, marking a sharp tone shift just days after the two influential figures clashed online and in the press.

I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 11, 2025

The feud began when Musk, a major Republican donor and Trump’s former advisor at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), criticized the president’s signature “big, beautiful” spending bill as an “abomination". Some Republican lawmakers had urged Musk to help fund primary challenges against members of the GOP who supported the bill.

Trump responded with threats and public rebuke. Speaking to NBC News over the weekend, the president said Musk would face “very serious consequences” if he pursued efforts to undermine Republican lawmakers. He also dismissed any desire to reconcile with the SpaceX and Tesla CEO, saying he had “no intention of speaking to him.”

Trump went further on his Truth Social platform, suggesting that cutting off federal subsidies and contracts to Musk’s companies would be “the easiest way” to save taxpayer money. US media estimates suggest Musk’s companies have received as much as $18 billion in federal contracts.

Fallout from Epstein allegations

The dispute intensified after Musk, amid the political backlash, made an explosive allegation linking Trump to unreleased government files related to financier Jeffrey Epstein.

“Time to drop the really big bomb: (Trump) is in the Epstein files,” Musk posted on X. “That is the real reason they have not been made public.” The claim referenced a trove of documents unsealed earlier this year by a New York judge, which included testimony and depositions related to Epstein’s alleged associates.

While Trump was named in the documents, he has not been accused of any wrongdoing in the case.

Musk appeared to delete the post by Saturday morning, and Trump declined to comment directly on the allegation but referenced Musk’s retreat during a brief Oval Office comment, “I just wish him well.”

From allies to adversaries—then back again?

Just weeks earlier, Trump had offered a glowing send-off to Musk as he exited his advisory role at DOGE. But the relationship soured rapidly, surprising Washington insiders.

“Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate,” Musk wrote last week, underscoring the personal and political stakes of their fallout.

The final spark came when Musk suggested Trump lacked gratitude and political discipline. Trump, in turn, called Musk “disrespectful", triggering a days-long exchange on social media.

However, by Friday, both men seemed to be softening their tone. “I just wish him well,” Trump said in passing to reporters. Musk echoed the sentiment on X, replying simply, “Likewise.”

Still, the dust-up has left questions about the stability of their once-close political alliance, particularly as Trump faces mounting legislative hurdles and Musk's companies remain deeply entangled in federal contracts and policy decisions.