Elon Musk and Donald Trump Trade Blows in Latest Public Feud

Billionaire Elon Musk and former U.S. President Donald Trump are once again locked in a public feud, with both men taking swipes at each other over politics, technology, and the future of the country. It started earlier this week when Trump, speaking at a campaign rally in Ohio, criticized electric vehicles and accused Musk of “getting rich off taxpayer money.” Trump also mocked the recent push for artificial intelligence regulation, calling it “a distraction for weak leadership.” Musk, never one to hold back, responded on his social media platform X:

“Real innovation doesn’t come from politicians who fear the future. Tesla and SpaceX have delivered more for America than any of Trump’s speeches.” That comment sparked a quick reaction from Trump, who posted on Truth Social: “Elon’s not a genius he’s a salesman. I made America strong while he’s busy building things in China.”

The two have clashed before, but this time the timing feels different. Trump is in full campaign mode, and Musk, though not officially in politics, has increasingly used his platform to influence public debate from criticizing government regulations to amplifying controversial opinions online.Political commentators say the fallout could divide conservative voters, especially younger supporters who admire Musk’s role in tech and free speech issues.

“There’s a generational and ideological split happening on the right,” said political analyst Drew Harris. “Trump represents the old guard. Musk is the voice of a new kind of influence.”

While it's unclear how far this public spat will go, both men have large, loyal audiences and neither seems ready to back down.