In a dramatic turn of events, Elon Musk’s apology to Trump is reshaping both political and financial narratives. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO issued a public apology today to former U.S. President Donald Trump, marking a significant pivot in their recently hostile relationship.
Posting on his X handle (@elonmusk), Musk wrote,
“I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far.”
After a tense battle that rocked markets and sparked worries about how Musk’s political views and commercial interests intersected, the message serves as a form of peace offering.
The dispute started last week when Musk called for Trump’s impeachment over his controversial fiscal policies—especially the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill”—and accused him of having ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump swiftly retaliated by threatening to revoke key federal contracts and subsidies for SpaceX and Tesla, two companies that rely heavily on government collaborations.
Fallout from a Public Feud
The conflict triggered a steep sell-off. In a single trading day, Tesla’s market value fell by 14.2%, or $152 billion. At the same time, the $TRUMP meme cryptocurrency lost 12%, and shares of Trump Media & Technology Group dropped 8%.
Musk escalated the feud by posting a 1992 video of Trump with Epstein and claiming that sealed files named Trump. However, Al Jazeera later revealed there was no evidence supporting these allegations, leading to speculation that Musk’s motives were linked to Tesla’s falling 2025 sales and the upcoming robotaxi debut in Austin.
A Strategic Retreat
Analysts are now referring to Elon Musk’s apology to Trump as a strategic retreat, as it gains widespread attention. On June 11, 2025, Musk’s message was posted at 07:04 WAT—just as Tesla’s stock rebounded by 3.8% by midday.
Trump seems open to compromise. On a June 9 podcast recorded prior to the apology, he remarked, “I have no hard feelings.” This apparent thaw in tensions has eased investor fears of political retaliation.
Political Risk and Business Impact
Musk may have issued the apology to shield his businesses from further political backlash. Trump’s threats—including the possible cancellation of SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft contracts—put both Tesla, which depends on federal EV incentives, and SpaceX, which plays a critical role in NASA missions, at considerable risk.
The feud traces back to Musk’s resignation from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and his outspoken criticism of Trump’s tariffs. In 2025, Tesla’s sales slumped in part due to Musk’s far-right political stance, which alienated moderate investors and consumers.
According to the Wall Street Journal, short sellers made billions during the downturn, while the FBI continues to investigate the unsubstantiated Epstein claims.
A Calculated Retreat or Genuine Regret?
Some see Elon Musk’s apology to Trump as a calculated move, while others view it as genuine remorse. From Twitter takeovers to manufacturing controversies, Musk has a track record of walking back inflammatory remarks once public or financial pressure builds.
The Independent reported that White House aides had arranged a call to ease tensions, though Trump initially resisted. Ultimately, the apology fits Musk’s typical pattern: bold provocation followed by carefully timed retractions.
For now, the apology has brought temporary relief to Musk’s empire. Tesla’s rebound reflects renewed investor confidence, yet uncertainty lingers. The Epstein claims remain under legal and public scrutiny, and political fallout is still unfolding. With Trump back in the picture, Elon Musk once again finds himself walking the tightrope between innovation, influence, and controversy.
