On June 6, 2025, Elon Musk ignited a firestorm by alleging on X that President Donald Trump’s name appears in the Jeffrey Epstein files, claiming this as the reason for their delayed release. The bombshell accusation, posted with the taunting sign-off “Have a nice day, DJT!” and followed by “Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out,” escalated an already public feud between the two former allies. Musk provided no evidence to substantiate his claim, which has fueled intense speculation and polarized reactions across political and social media spheres.
The Epstein files, comprising court documents, flight logs, and investigative materials related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, have been partially released. In February 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi declassified “Phase 1” of the files, which included previously public information like flight logs listing Trump among other high-profile figures. These logs confirm Trump flew on Epstein’s private jet seven times in the 1990s, primarily between Florida and New York, but no evidence in the released documents links him to Epstein’s criminal activities. Despite public pressure, the Department of Justice has cited victim protection as the reason for withholding further releases, with no clear timeline for additional disclosures.
Musk’s accusation came amid a deteriorating relationship with Trump, sparked by disagreements over a Republican-backed spending bill. Musk, who recently stepped down as a special advisor leading the Department of Government Efficiency, called the bill a “disgusting abomination” and criticized Trump’s tariff policies, predicting economic fallout. Trump retaliated, claiming he had asked Musk to leave the White House, citing Musk’s opposition to the bill and accusing him of “Trump derangement syndrome.” The feud intensified as Trump threatened to cut federal contracts with Musk’s companies, including SpaceX, prompting Musk to briefly announce the decommissioning of SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft before retracting the statement.
The White House dismissed Musk’s Epstein claim as “unfortunate,” with press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating Trump’s focus remains on passing his “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Critics, including some Trump supporters, have questioned Musk’s motives, noting his own 2014 appearance at a party with Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Public sentiment on X reflects a divide, with some users amplifying Musk’s allegations while others argue they lack substance, pointing to Trump’s known but limited association with Epstein in the 1990s and early 2000s.
The claim has reignited calls for full disclosure of the Epstein files, with figures like Representative Dan Goldman urging transparency. Without concrete evidence from Musk or further releases from the DOJ, the accusation remains speculative, deepening the rift between two influential figures and fueling ongoing conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein’s network.
