Trump-Musk Feud Explodes: Epstein Allegations, SpaceX Dragon Shutdown Threatened

A high-stakes feud between US President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk erupted into a public firestorm on Thursday, with Musk alleging Trump’s involvement in the sealed Jeffrey Epstein files and announcing the potential decommissioning of SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft. The clash, sparked by Musk’s opposition to Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” has raised concerns about the future of US space programs and government contracts worth billions.

The once-close alliance between Trump and Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, collapsed in a flurry of social media attacks. The feud began when Musk criticized Trump’s tax-and-spending bill, calling it a “disgusting abomination” that would balloon the US national debt, already at $36.2 trillion. Trump retaliated, threatening to cancel government contracts and subsidies for Musk’s companies, including SpaceX’s $5 billion deal to ferry astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). Musk escalated the spat by announcing SpaceX would “immediately” begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft, a critical asset for NASA, though he later retracted the threat.

Musk further intensified the conflict by claiming on X that Trump’s name appears in the unreleased Epstein files, alleging this is why the documents remain sealed. He also endorsed a call for Trump’s impeachment, suggesting Vice President JD Vance replace him.

The feud unfolded rapidly on June 5, 2025, across social media platforms. During a press briefing with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office, Trump expressed disappointment in Musk, hinting that their friendship might not survive. He suggested Musk’s criticism stemmed from the bill’s removal of electric vehicle (EV) tax credits, a claim Musk denied, stating he was never shown the bill’s details.

On Truth Social, Trump wrote, “The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts.” Musk responded on X, announcing the potential Dragon shutdown and accusing Trump of “ingratitude” for his role in the 2024 election. Musk also warned that Trump’s proposed tariffs could trigger a recession by late 2025.

Hours later, Musk retracted his threat to decommission Dragon, but the damage to US space operations loomed large, with experts warning that losing Dragon could disrupt NASA’s ISS missions.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called Musk’s Epstein allegations an “unfortunate episode,” attributing his actions to frustration over the bill’s content. NASA’s press secretary, Bethany Stevens, emphasized the agency’s commitment to the President’s vision for space exploration but declined to comment on the Dragon’s status.

Former NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver warned that decommissioning Dragon would be “untenable,” potentially endangering astronauts and violating international agreements tied to the ISS. She noted that canceling SpaceX contracts might not be legally feasible due to their critical role in US space and defense operations.

The Trump-Musk alliance, forged during the 2024 campaign, saw Musk lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cut federal spending. Their relationship soured when Musk opposed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” a Republican-backed package promising $1.6 trillion in expense cuts and significant tax reductions. Critics, including Musk, argued it would deepen the national deficit.

SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, operational since 2020, is the only US vehicle capable of transporting astronauts to the ISS, making it indispensable to NASA. The company has secured $22 billion in federal contracts since 2000, including lunar lander projects for the Artemis program. Terminating these contracts could disrupt US space ambitions, especially with the ISS set to retire by 2030.

Musk’s Epstein allegations reference Trump’s past association with the disgraced financier, including flights on Epstein’s private plane. While Trump distanced himself from Epstein after 2019, the files remain a point of contention, with no public evidence confirming Musk’s claims.