President Trump and Elon Musk trade insults in escalating feud
Simmering tensions between the president and the Tesla CEO boiled over into a dramatic feud this afternoon.
Highlights from June 5, 2025
- President Donald Trump said he is “very disappointed” in Elon Musk for his criticisms of the Republican policy bill, which includes many of the administration’s priorities. He suggested Musk was upset that the bill removed a Biden-era electric vehicle tax break that benefited his company Tesla.
- In a tirade of over two dozen social media posts, Musk fired back and claimed that Trump “would have lost the election” without his help. Then, in a dramatic escalation of the conflict, Trump implied he could sever U.S. government ties with Musk’s business, which amounts to billions in contracts and subsidies.
- Earlier in the day, Trump said he spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping this morning in a nearly 1½-hour call that focused on trade. Tensions between the two superpowers escalated after each side accused the other of violating a trade truce.
‘Lost your damn mind’: Lawmakers weigh in on the Trump-Musk spat
Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers weighed in on the conflict between Trump and Musk today as the pair continued to pour fuel on a fire that risks destroying a once tight-knit relationship between the two leaders for good.
Musk escalated the war of words throughout the day with online posts that ranged from intense criticism of a Republican funding bill that the Congressional Budget Office estimates would add trillions to the national deficit to a conspiracy-boosting claim that Trump is “in the Epstein Files” and a suggestion that Trump should be impeached and replaced by Vice President JD Vance.
For some Republicans, Musk today took things too far.
‘Lost your damn mind’: Lawmakers weigh in on the Trump-Musk spat, continued
“You’ve lost your damn mind” was the message Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, had tonight for Musk, whom he has long praised.
“I’ve had a lot of love and respect for you for what you’ve done for this country over the last several months, but you’ve lost your damn mind,” Nehls said. “Enough is enough.”
Rep. Tom Massie, R-Ky., who has also clashed with Trump over his criticism of the funding bill, offered a subtle defense of Musk, who he said has “math” on his side.
“I choose math,” Massie said. “The math always wins over the words. I trust the math from the guy that lands rockets backwards over the politicians.”
But most Republican lawmakers today have taken the path of Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., opting against criticizing Trump or Musk amid the brewing rivalry.
“I don’t care how much fighting they do. I admire both of them,” Norman said.
Democrats, meanwhile, have delighted in the “bad blood” between the polarizing leaders, some likening the drama to an episode of “Real Housewives” or a WWE match and others suggesting the breakdown was inevitable.
“You’ve got two gentlemen with gargantuan egos and both appearing to suffer from narcissistic personality disorder, and they basically converged around a common platform of plunder and pillage of the American people, and now both of them are telling the truth about the other,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md.
Trump aims to build a MAGA judiciary, breaking with traditional conservatives
Trump is signaling a new approach to selecting judges in his second term, departing from his first-term formula of younger up-and-comers, elite credentials and pedigrees in traditional conservative ideology and instead leaning toward unapologetically combative, MAGA-friendly nominees.
The president turned heads last week by launching a searing attack on Leonard Leo and the conservative legal network known as the Federalist Society, which played a major role in selecting and steering 234 Trump-nominated judges, including three Supreme Court justices, through Senate confirmation during his first term.
‘This breakup is messy’: Democratic lawmaker compares Trump-Musk spat to the ‘Real Housewives’
Washington has gone 15 years without its own “Real Housewives” franchise. But according to Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., the ongoing drama between Trump and Musk is worthy of a franchise revival.
Standing before a poster labeled “the Real Housewives of Pennsylvania Ave,” Stansbury “shared the tea” in a floor speech in which she quoted directly from the apparent frenemies as she detailed a breakup she called “messy as all hell.”
“I mean, if you’ve watched over the last several days, it’s really been an epic breakup for the ages. In fact, I think it’s fit for the ‘Real Housewives,'” she said. “Just a couple of hours ago, Elon Musk affirmed a statement about actually impeaching the president. I mean, who would have thought that we’d end up here? Because, literally, less than a week ago, they were having a bromance in the Oval Office.”
‘This breakup is messy’: Democratic lawmaker compares Trump-Musk spat to the ‘Real Housewives’ , continued
Practically, Stansbury aimed to enter some of the posts from Trump and Musk’s contentious back-and-forth into the Congressional Record. But visually, she appeared to relish in the public spat as she jovially ticked through the dispute, seizing on Musk’s intense opposition to a funding package Trump has dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill.”
“He said: ‘I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore. This massive, outrageous, pork filled congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination,'” Stansbury said, quoting a post on X by Musk. “Let’s be clear, all 215 Democrats have been saying this for weeks, but obviously things really boiled over for Mr. Musk on Tuesday.”
Stansbury, the ranking member on the House DOGE subcommittee, welcomed Musk’s call to “kill the bill” and highlighted in particular his criticism of Republican lawmakers, who he suggested are betraying the country by supporting the funding package.
“Elon Musk says ‘in November of next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people.’ I mean, you guys, we cannot make this up. This is like the real tea that is going on on the internet,” she said.
“So I’m with Musk on this one. I don’t mean to take sides, Mr. President, but I’m going to say it. Kill the bill,” Stansbury concluded.
Ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd slams Trump ban on foreign students at Harvard
Ambassador Kevin Rudd has hit out at the latest spray of Trump chaos that will hit Aussie students at an iconic American university.
Kevin Rudd has lambasted US President Donald Trump’s decision to block foreign students from enrolling at Harvard University, calling the move “distressing”.
The ban includes Australian students, who will be denied entry to the prestigious higher-education institution if Mr Trump’s move is put into effect.
“We are monitoring closely developments at Harvard University in relation to the administration’s statement this afternoon on the future enrolment of international students,” Mr Rudd said on Friday morning in a statement to X.
“I know this will be distressing for Harvard’s many Australian students.
“The embassy is working with the United States government to obtain the details of this decision so that Australian students can receive appropriate advice.
“We also intend to engage the administration more broadly on the impact of this decision for Australian students and their families both at Harvard and at other campuses across the United States.”
US Ambassador to the US and former prime minister Kevin Rudd responded to the Harvard ban on Friday morning. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman
The Trump administration revoked Harvard’s right to take in international students on Thursday afternoon, local time.
“Effective immediately, Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification is revoked,” Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem wrote in a letter to the school.
The administration is waging war on Harvard over the university’s perceived failure to protect Jewish students on campus and its support for diversity, equity and inclusion policies.
US politics live: Donald Trump shares rogue Joe Biden post
Donald Trump has shared a rogue post levelling bizarre allegations at former president Joe Biden.
Welcome, once again, to our live coverage of US politics.
US President Donald Trump will announce his new pick to lead NASA after the White House pulled its nomination for a billionaire entrepreneur with close ties to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk — just days before Jared Isaacman was expected to receive a confirmation vote in the Senate.
Meanwhile, musician and philanthropist Bono, the lead singer in the band U2, has engaged in a discussion about American aid with megapodcaster Joe Rogan on his show The Joe Rogan Experience.
And a federal appeals court has upheld a legal pause on Mr Trump’s mass firings from various agencies, delivering the Republican administration another legal setback in reshaping the executive branch.
Earlier, Mr Trump was asked about an explosive New York Times report on Mr Musk’s alleged drug use.
Elsewhere, Mr Trump said he would double America’s tariff rate on steel imports to 50 per cent, in a move that has infuriated the Australian government.
The US President blurted out the latest escalation in his trade war at a rally in Pennsylvania, touting it as a “blockbuster agreement”.
Not in the eyes of Australia’s Trade Minister Don Farrell, however, who furiously responded in a statement.
Read on for more updates.
US politics live: Hamas says US plan for Gaza ceasefire does not meet its demands
Hamas has angrily responded to a proposal from the US to bring about a ceasefire, a plan that reportedly involves hostages held captive.
Welcome to our coverage of US politics.
A trade court’s move to block many of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs was short-lived, with a federal appeals court deciding to reinstate them temporarily while his administration appeals the decision.
It comes after the United States Court of International Trade on Wednesday (US time) blocked most of President Trump’s ‘liberation day’ tariffs, deeming them illegal, in a ruling the White House called “blatantly wrong”.
The reversal by the appeals court on Thursday changes the picture significantly for global markets which were buoyant after the tariffs were paused.
Hamas says US plan for ceasefire doesn’t cut it
Hamas has complained that a US-backed ceasefire proposal for Gaza does not meet its fundamental conditions, though it has not ruled out further discussions as international efforts to stop the conflict continue.
The White House announced on Thursday that Israel had agreed to the plan put forward by US envoy Steve Witkoff and was now awaiting a formal reply from Hamas.
According to Israeli media, the framework would see Hamas release 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 others in two stages. In return, Israel would implement a 60-day ceasefire and release a number of Palestinian prisoners currently held in Israeli jails.
A senior Hamas official told the BBC the proposal falls short of the group’s core demands, which primarily call for a full end to the war.
The official added that Hamas would issue a formal response in due course.
While the Israeli government has not issued an official statement, Israeli reports suggest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told families of hostages on Thursday that he had accepted the proposed deal.
Negotiations remain ongoing, with both sides under growing international pressure to reach an agreement.
Trump slams judges’ ‘horrific’ decision
Donald Trump has blasted the three US judges who made the “horrific” and “threatening” decision to block his sweeping tariffs in Wednesday’s trade court ruling.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled on Thursday (US time) to temporarily reinstate most of Mr Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs, a day after they were deemed illegal and struck down by the Court of International Trade.
In a lengthy post on Truth Social, Mr Trump took aim at the “backroom hustlers” involved in the decision.
“The U.S. Court of International Trade incredibly ruled against the United States of America on desperately needed Tariffs but, fortunately, the full 11 Judge Panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit Court has just stayed the order by the Manhattan-based Court of International Trade,” he wrote.
“Where do these initial three Judges come from? How is it possible for them to have potentially done such damage to the United States of America? Is it purely a hatred of ‘TRUMP?’ What other reason could it be?”
“Hopefully, the Supreme Court will reverse this horrible, Country threatening decision, QUICKLY and DECISIVELY,” he added.
“Backroom ‘hustlers’ must not be allowed to destroy our Nation! The horrific decision stated that I would have to get the approval of Congress for these Tariffs.”
Mr Trump said if the decision were allowed to stand, it would “completely destroy Presidential Power”.
“The Presidency would never be the same!” he continued.
“Under this decision, Trillions of Dollars would be lost by our Country, money that will, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.”
“The President of the United States must be allowed to protect America against those that are doing it Economic and Financial harm.”
‘Terrific’: Trump breaks silence on Musk exit
Donald Trump has broken his silence on Elon Musk’s DOGE exit, praising the billionaire ahead of his last day in the administration.
In a post on Truth Social, the President announced he would hold a press conference with the former Department of Government Efficiency head on Friday 1.30pm EST (Saturday 3.30am AEST).
“This will be his last day, but not really, because he will, always, be with us, helping all the way,” Mr Trump wrote.
“Elon is terrific! See you tomorrow at the White House.”
It comes after Mr Musk announced on Wednesday he was leaving his role in the department, shortly after he criticised Mr Trump’s spending bill.
“As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President Donald Trump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending,” Mr Musk wrote on X.
“The DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government”
Earlier on Wednesday, the tech billionaire said Mr Trump’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act”, which offers tax relief and spending cuts, would increase the deficit and undermine the work of DOGE.
“I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing,” Mr Musk said in an excerpt of his upcoming interview with CBS News.
“A bill can be big, or it can be beautiful. But I don’t know if it can be both. My personal opinion.”
Mr Musk also complained in a separate interview this week that DOGE had become a lightning rod for criticism.
“DOGE is just becoming the whipping boy for everything,” he told the Washington Post ahead of Space X’s latest launch on Tuesday.
“Something bad would happen anywhere, and we would get blamed for it even if we had nothing to do with it.”
Fresh call for new US envoy after latest Trump tariff threat
A prominent Coalition MP has called for a switch of Australia’s most important envoy after Donald Trump’s latest tariff threat.
Barnaby Joyce has renewed his call for a new Australian ambassador in Washington after Donald Trump pledged to hike blanket tariffs on steel and aluminium to 50 per cent.
The Coalition attack dog said on Monday that Australia’s continued failure to secure a carve out came down to Kevin Rudd, who has been Canberra’s envoy to the US since 2023.
Mr Rudd, a former Labor prime minister, has been highly critical of the US President over the years, calling Mr Trump a “village idiot”, “nuts”, the “most destructive president in history” and a “traitor to the West”.
Meanwhile, Mr Trump has called Mr Rudd “nasty” and “not the brightest bulb”.
Mr Joyce argued that while Mr Rudd was a “good guy”, he was not right for the job.
Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce has called for a new Australian ambassador to the US. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman
“Kevin Rudd is a good guy but he’s not kicking a goal in the United States,” the Nationals MP told Seven’s Sunrise.
“There is a difference in the relationship between him and the Trump administration.
“I believe the first thing you have to do is give Kevin another job somewhere else – get an ambassador who actually can work closer with the United States.
“You can’t have the Australian ambassador unable to make the connections at the highest level of the United States.”
Asked if Mr Rudd alone was the weak link, Mr Joyce said he thought “we can do better for the United States”.
“I’m not saying he’s a bad ambassador, but he’s not suited for the United States,” he said, adding it was “quite apparent” Mr Rudd was “just not hitting it off” with Mr Trump.
Australian ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd has been praised for his performance as Canberra’s envoy in Washington. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman
Only the UK has managed to receive an exemption from the Trump administration’s tariffs.
But analysts have questioned the merits of the deal, as London was forced to give US companies greater access to other parts of the British economy to lock it in.
Mr Rudd has the firm backing of Labor, with the Albanese government crediting him with much of the diplomatic legwork around AUKUS.
Retired Liberal Party old guard have also continued to stand by the ambassador, including past political rivals.
Appearing opposite Mr Joyce, Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek came to Mr Rudd’s defence.
“Kevin has had an extraordinarily active time as ambassador,” she said.
“He’s got excellent relationships with both Republicans and Democrats.”
Ms Plibersek went on to praise Mr Rudd as “hardworking” and as having “enormous capacity”.
“He’s an excellent ambassador, and at the end of the day, Australia chooses our ambassadors,” she said.
“We don’t allow other countries to choose our ambassadors for us.”
US President Donald Trump has pledged to hike blanket tariffs on steel and aluminium to 50 per cent. Picture: Jim Watson / AFP
Mr Trump over the weekend declared on social media that it was his “great honor to raise the tariffs on steel and aluminium from 25% to 50%, effective Wednesday, June 4th”.
“Our steel and aluminium industries are coming back like never before,” he posted.
“This will be yet another BIG jolt of great news for our wonderful steel and aluminium workers. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell blasted the tariffs as “unjustified and not the act of a friend”.
“They are an act of economic self-harm that will only hurt consumers and businesses who rely on free and fair trade,” he said in a statement on Saturday.
“We will continue to engage and advocate strongly for the removal of the tariffs.”
Mr Farrell said last month a deal was before the Trump administration and the ball was in the US’ court.
