Tensions Resurface as Elon Musk Demands Release of Epstein Files Amid Feud With Trump
Amid an ongoing feud, the billionaire has returned to connecting the president to the convicted pedophile.

Elon Musk has reignited his demand for the unredacted release of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, adding a new dimension to his ongoing public feud with President Trump over the presidentâs contentious âBig Beautiful Bill.â
The worldâs richest man voiced his support for the filesâ release on Thursday morning, replying âyesâ to a social media post by a conservative activist, Scott Presler, that said, âRelease the unredacted Epstein files.â Mr. Preslerâs post coincided with House lawmakers moving toward passage of Mr. Trumpâs high-stakes spending bill.
Mr. Musk has previously declared that Mr. Trumpâs name appears in the Epstein files, saying thatâs the reason the Department of Justice has not released them. âTime to drop the really big bomb: @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files,â he wrote on X last month. âThat is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!â He later deleted the posts.
Shortly after publicly apologizing for his previous attacks on Mr. Trump, which he admitted âwent too far,â Mr. Musk seemed ready to move on from their feud. However, tensions have resurfaced amid debates over Mr. Trumpâs spending bill, which Mr. Musk categorically opposes, citing concerns about swelling deficits.
In the latest clash, Mr. Musk returned to rhetoric linking Mr. Trump to Epstein. While the two were once known associates, there is no evidence supporting allegations that Mr. Trump was involved in or aware of Epsteinâs crimes. The pair reportedly had a falling-out in 2004 over a Florida real estate dispute.
Mr. Trump has dismissed Mr. Muskâs accusations as âold news,â noting that Epsteinâs lawyer, David Schoen, previously confirmed that Epstein had âno information to hurt President Trump.â
The feud has escalated to political threats. Mr. Trump has threatened to investigate the government subsidies received by Mr. Muskâs businesses. Meanwhile, Mr. Musk has criticized the presidentâs supporters in Congress and floated the idea of forming a third political party if the bill passed. Mr. Musk also warned lawmakers who support the Big Beautiful Bill, saying they âwill lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth.â
The Department of Justice has committed to releasing files related to Epstein, though only previously leaked materials have been made public so far. A few months ago, Attorney General Bondi said the FBI is examining tens of thousands of videos, but since then there has been no release of more information.
During a February interview with Fox News, Ms. Bondi also implied the existence of an alleged âclient listâ tied to Epstein, claiming it was âsittingâ on her desk. The Department of Justice later distributed declassified binders to conservative influencers, suggesting the material Ms. Bondi referred to was already public and that no âclient listâ had been discovered. The binders turned out to be duds.
In April, she told reporters at the White House, âThere are tens of thousands of videos of Epstein with children or child porn,â implying the FBI was reviewing the materials. FBI officials have not corroborated Ms. Bondiâs claims.
The FBI director, Kash Patel, speaking on a podcast with Joe Rogan last month, contradicted Ms. Bondiâs allegations. âIf there was a video of some guy, or gal, committing felonies on an island, and Iâm in charge, donât you think youâd see it?â Mr. Patel said. âWeâre giving you everything we have.â