The magnate Elon Musk deleted the tweet where he claimed that President Donald Trump was in the Epstein files in another chapter of the rift between them.
Other attacks by the South African on Trump after leaving his office have also been removed from his X account, the social network he owns, including the one that stated that without him, the Republican would not have been able to return to the White House.
On Thursday, Musk fueled a political storm by publicly stating that Trump appears in the files of the Jeffrey Epstein case, and that this would be the reason why those documents have not been released.
Initial confrontation
Musk stated that "It's time to drop the truly big bomb: Donald Trump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason why they have not been made public. Have a good day, DJT. The truth will come to light."
The post, which quickly went viral, comes amid escalating tensions between Musk and Trump following the tycoon's criticism of the Republican president's new tax plan.
Trump responded from his platform Truth Social, threatening to cut all government contracts and subsidies that benefit Musk and his companies: “The easiest way to save billions of dollars in our budget is to terminate the subsidies and government contracts of Elon. I was always surprised that Biden didn't do it!”
Additionally, Trump suggested that Musk unfairly benefited from electric vehicle policies and that he should be grateful for his previous political support.
"Elon was 'wearing himself out', I asked him to leave, I revoked his Electric Vehicle Mandate that forced everyone to buy electric cars that no one else wanted... and he just went CRAZY!", he added in another post.
Musk has been in charge of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for the past few months, a controversial government office that has given him the authority to cut public spending, as well as to close or dismantle federal agencies.
During the 2024 campaign, he actively supported Trump —donating over 250 million dollars and even participating in campaign events— but is now distancing himself from the president in increasingly aggressive terms.
"Without me, Trump would have lost. The Democrats would control the House and the Republicans would have been 51-49 in the Senate," he wrote in another of the deleted tweets.
In November of last year, he stated that "If Donald Trump wins, the Epstein list will be made public," referring to the guest list for the billionaire's island where minors were sexually abused and who died by suicide in prison.
After the exchange of accusations, Tesla's shares plummeted 15% on the New York Stock Exchange this Thursday, amid fears that the federal government could cancel key contracts and subsidies related to the energy transition, which would pose a significant economic blow to Musk's empire.
The Epstein case —the financier accused of sex trafficking of minors and found dead in prison in 2019— has been a subject of immense controversy and speculation.
Although multiple judicial documents have been partially declassified, the complete list of individuals involved or mentioned remains under confidentiality.
Musk now suggests that Trump appears in those files, a claim that, if proven, could have devastating political consequences.
Frequently asked questions about the conflict between Elon Musk and Donald Trump
Why did Elon Musk delete the tweet about Donald Trump and the Epstein files?
Elon Musk deleted the tweet where he claimed that Donald Trump was in the Epstein files amid growing tension between the two following Musk's criticism of Trump's tax plan. Although it was a post that generated considerable uproar, he ultimately decided to remove it from his account on the social network X, of which he is the owner.
What triggered the conflict between Musk and Trump?
The conflict between Musk and Trump escalated after Musk publicly criticized the president's new tax plan, calling it a "disgusting abomination." Additionally, Musk stated that without his support, Trump would not have won the elections, which led Trump to threaten to cut government contracts with Musk's companies.
How has the conflict affected Musk's companies?
Tesla's shares plummeted 15% on the New York Stock Exchange following the exchange of accusations between Musk and Trump. This was due to fears that the federal government would cancel key contracts and subsidies related to the energy transition, which would represent a significant economic blow to Musk's empire.
What implications does Musk's accusation about Trump and the Epstein case have?
Musk's accusation that Trump appears in the files of the Jeffrey Epstein case could have devastating political consequences if proven. The Epstein case has been the subject of enormous controversy and speculation, and although multiple court documents have been partially declassified, the complete list of involved personalities remains under wraps.
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