In the latest salvo of a remarkable public feud, President Donald Trump has declared that Elon Musk has “lost his mind,” but simultaneously insisted that he himself is not “focusing” on the escalating row. The contradictory statements, delivered by Trump on Friday, highlight the volatile nature of the high-profile spat between two of the world’s most influential figures, even as both attempt to project an image of detachment.
The latest remarks from Trump, made during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, follow a week of blistering exchanges. The animosity ignited when Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, harshly criticized a new federal budget bill championed by Trump, calling it a “disgusting abomination.” Trump, in turn, unleashed a series of furious attacks, suggesting Musk’s criticisms stemmed from petty jealousy and even threatening to cut the vast network of government contracts and subsidies vital to Musk’s companies. Musk retaliated by claiming credit for Trump’s 2020 election performance and making unverified insinuations about Trump’s past.
On Friday, when asked by a reporter about the ongoing back-and-forth, Trump initially dismissed the conflict. “I am not focusing on it at all,” he stated, before immediately contradicting himself by offering a scathing assessment of Musk’s mental state. “I think Elon has lost his mind,” Trump declared. “He’s got some real problems.”
This “not focusing” while simultaneously launching personal attacks has become a hallmark of Trump’s public persona. It allows him to engage in a high-stakes war of words while attempting to frame the conflict as being driven by the other party.
For his part, Musk has also attempted to project an air of disinterest, stating on X (formerly Twitter) that he is “not going to engage in this drama,” even as he continues to respond to Trump’s barbs. This dual approach of public sparring coupled with claims of non-engagement underscores the performative nature of their conflict, which plays out before millions on social media and in the news cycle.
The feud between Trump and Musk is particularly noteworthy given their previous, albeit complex, relationship. Musk briefly served as a special government employee in the Trump administration, leading the “Department of Government Efficiency,” an initiative aimed at streamlining federal operations. Trump had initially lauded Musk’s efforts, but that goodwill rapidly evaporated with Musk’s public criticisms of the budget bill.
The consequences of this escalating dispute remain uncertain. While the immediate impact has included a dip in Tesla’s stock following Trump’s threats of contract cuts, the longer-term implications for Musk’s government dealings and Trump’s relationship with the tech industry are still unfolding.
As both men continue to engage in a highly public, yet paradoxically “unfocused,” war of words, the political and economic implications of their personal animosity are increasingly evident, painting a picture of two titans locked in a battle of wills, despite their claims to be above the fray.