Elon Musk has escalated his conflict with US President Donald Trump by publicly supporting Vice President JD Vance as President Trump’s successor and demanding the impeachment of the President, the tech billionaire shocked political circles.
The action was taken soon after Elon Musk claimed that Trump was responsible for the sealed Epstein files’ continued concealment because he was seen in them. A dispute over Trump’s budget bill has turned into a full-fledged political and personal conflict.
Musk Supports Impeachment, Endorses Vance
The row blew up on Thursday when far-right commentator Ian Miles Cheong posted on X, “Trump ought to be impeached and JD Vance ought to be his replacement.” Musk replied within minutes in a plain but explosive “Yes.” His support came as a surprise to many, considering his prior association with Trump.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 5, 2025
This follows days after Musk slammed Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” a spending and taxation bill that continues reductions made in his first term. Musk described the bill as a “disgusting abomination” and called on Republicans to “kill the bill.”
Trump Rants About Musk in Oval Office
Trump replied in vintage style—via the Oval Office. What many characterized as a press briefing more akin to a therapy session, Trump spoke of his past with Musk. Seated alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump discoursed on Musk’s last press conference and his supposed black eye.
You watched a man who was very happy, even with the black eye,” Trump said. “I made an offer of makeup. He refused. He wants to be himself.” Trump also criticized Musk for being angry. He attributed it to some extent to his withdrawal of a NASA nominee endorsed by Musk.
Epstein Files Claim Fuels the Rift
The break came when Musk implied Trump is the subject of the sealed Epstein documents. “That’s why they haven’t released them,” Musk posted earlier this week on X, setting off media tempests.
Musk’s claims have not only stoked tensions but have attracted bipartisan notice. His appeal for Trump’s ouster and replacement by Vance now fuels an already incendiary election cycle. The Trump-Musk partnership, which was once symbolic of a politics-tech marriage, is today in shambles—with the risks only increasing.
