A social media spat between President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk exploded in real-time on Thursday, leaving podcast host Joe Rogan stunned and calling for an intervention.
The dramatic back-and-forth, unfolding live during Rogan’s recording with FBI Director Kash Patel, saw Musk hurl a shocking accusation about Trump and the Epstein files, prompting Rogan to exclaim, “Jesus Christ!”
The digital duel ignited when Musk, known for his outspoken presence on X (formerly Twitter), took a swipe at a Trump-backed spending bill, dubbing it “the big, beautiful bill.” The quarrel quickly escalated into a public spectacle.
READ: Errol Musk Downplays Elon-Trump Feud: “Make Sure This Fizzles Out”
Musk didn’t hold back, accusing Trump of being “in the Epstein files” and warning that Trump’s tariff plan would plunge the U.S. into a recession.
He even floated the idea of a new political party. Trump, not one to shy from a fight, swiftly retaliated, declaring Musk was “wearing thin” and that he had asked him to leave the White House. This exchange is particularly notable given Trump’s previous tasking of Musk to head the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) during the initial months of his potential second term, a role that drew both praise and criticism for Musk’s aggressive cost-cutting measures.
The heated exchange was brought to Rogan and Patel’s attention mid-recording. “Since we were talking about fake news, this is going to come up because it’s been going on since we’ve been recording here…Elon and Trump seem to be in a bit of a spat,” an off-screen voice informed them.
READ: Trump, Musk Signal Potential Thaw After Public Spat
Rogan’s shock was palpable as he read Musk’s provocative tweet: “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!”
FBI Director Kash Patel quickly distanced himself from the unfolding drama, stating, “I’m not participating in any of that conversation between Elon and Trump. I know my lane, and that ain’t it.”
Rogan, still processing the accusation, reiterated, “Someone should take his phone away… Jesus Christ, that’s a crazy thing to say. How does he know? Does he know that Donald Trump is in the Epstein files? Does he have access to the Epstein files?”
READ: Trump Targets Medicaid “Gimmicks,” Orders Crackdown On Waste And Fraud
Musk followed his initial blast with a cryptic post: “Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out.”
While Trump took to Truth Social to defend his “Greatest Bills ever presented to Congress,” Errol Musk, Elon’s father, weighed in on the spectacle.
Speaking exclusively to Al Arabiya English, the elder Musk dismissed the feud as a “bit silly,” attributing it to stress and fatigue among “alphas” and predicting it would “fizzle out in a few days.” He admitted to being “perplexed” by his son’s decision to bring up Jeffrey Epstein, suggesting it was a “silly mistake” rather than a calculated move.
Rogan concluded the discussion by lamenting the negative impact of constant social media posting on mental health, before the conversation shifted to the FBI’s response to online “bots.” One thing is clear: the digital sparring match between two of the world’s most influential figures has once again captured global attention, proving that even at the highest echelons, a public spat can truly make waves.
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