Vance downplays row between Trump, 'emotional guy' Musk
US Vice President JD Vance says Elon Musk was making a "huge mistake" going after President Donald Trump in a storm of bitter and inflammatory social media posts after a falling out between the two men.
But the vice president, in a podcast interview released after the very public blow up between the world's richest man and arguably the world's most powerful, also tried to downplay Musk's blistering attacks as an "emotional guy" who got frustrated.
"I hope that eventually Elon comes back into the fold. Maybe that's not possible now because he's gone so nuclear," Vance said.
Vance's comments come as other Republicans in recent days have urged the two men, who months ago were close allies spending significant time together, to mend fences.
Musk's torrent of social media posts attacking Trump came as the president portrayed him as disgruntled and "crazy" and threatened to cut the government contracts held by his businesses.
Musk, who runs electric vehicle maker Tesla, internet company Starlink and rocket company SpaceX, lambasted Trump's centrepiece tax cuts and spending bill but also suggested Trump should be impeached and claimed without evidence that the government was concealing information about the president's association with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
"Look, it happens to everybody," Vance said in the interview with comedian Theo Von.
"I've flown off the handle way worse than Elon Musk did in the last 24 hours."
Vance told Von that as Musk for days was calling on social media for the US Congress to kill Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill," the president was "getting a little frustrated, feeling like some of the criticisms were unfair coming from Elon, but I think has been very restrained because the president doesn't think that he needs to be in a blood feud with Elon Musk".
"I actually think if Elon chilled out a little bit, everything would be fine," he added.
Musk had by Saturday morning deleted his X posts about Trump and Epstein.
The interview was recording on Thursday as Musk's posts were unfurling on X, the social media network the billionaire owns.
During the interview, Von showed the vice president Musk's claim that Trump's administration hasn't released all the records related to sex abuser Jeffrey Epstein because Trump is mentioned in them.
Vance responded to that, saying "Absolutely not. Donald Trump didn't do anything wrong with Jeffrey Epstein".
"This stuff is just not helpful," Vance said in response to another post shared by Musk calling for Trump to be impeached and replaced with Vance.
"It's totally insane. The president is doing a good job."
Vance called Musk an "incredible entrepreneur" and said that Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, which sought to cut government spending and laid off or pushed out thousands of workers, was "really good".
The vice president also defended the bill that has drawn Musk's ire, and said its central goal was not to cut spending but to extend the 2017 tax cuts approved in Trump's first term.
Musk has warned that the bill will increase the federal deficit and called it a "disgusting abomination".
"It's a good bill," Vance said.
"It's not a perfect bill."
Trump indicated in a phone interview with NBC on Saturday that he has no plans to make up with Musk.
Asked specifically if he thought his relationship with Musk is over, Trump responded "I would assume so, yeah".
"No," Trump told NBC when asked if he had any desire to repair his relationship with Musk.
"I have no intention of speaking to him," Trump said.
However, Trump said he had not thought about terminating US government contracts with Musk's StarLink satellite internet or SpaceX rocket launch companies.
with AP
US Vice President JD Vance says Elon Musk was making a "huge mistake" going after President Donald Trump in a storm of bitter and inflammatory social media posts after a falling out between the two men.
But the vice president, in a podcast interview released after the very public blow up between the world's richest man and arguably the world's most powerful, also tried to downplay Musk's blistering attacks as an "emotional guy" who got frustrated.
"I hope that eventually Elon comes back into the fold. Maybe that's not possible now because he's gone so nuclear," Vance said.
Vance's comments come as other Republicans in recent days have urged the two men, who months ago were close allies spending significant time together, to mend fences.
Musk's torrent of social media posts attacking Trump came as the president portrayed him as disgruntled and "crazy" and threatened to cut the government contracts held by his businesses.
Musk, who runs electric vehicle maker Tesla, internet company Starlink and rocket company SpaceX, lambasted Trump's centrepiece tax cuts and spending bill but also suggested Trump should be impeached and claimed without evidence that the government was concealing information about the president's association with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
"Look, it happens to everybody," Vance said in the interview with comedian Theo Von.
"I've flown off the handle way worse than Elon Musk did in the last 24 hours."
Vance told Von that as Musk for days was calling on social media for the US Congress to kill Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill," the president was "getting a little frustrated, feeling like some of the criticisms were unfair coming from Elon, but I think has been very restrained because the president doesn't think that he needs to be in a blood feud with Elon Musk".
"I actually think if Elon chilled out a little bit, everything would be fine," he added.
Musk had by Saturday morning deleted his X posts about Trump and Epstein.
The interview was recording on Thursday as Musk's posts were unfurling on X, the social media network the billionaire owns.
During the interview, Von showed the vice president Musk's claim that Trump's administration hasn't released all the records related to sex abuser Jeffrey Epstein because Trump is mentioned in them.
Vance responded to that, saying "Absolutely not. Donald Trump didn't do anything wrong with Jeffrey Epstein".
"This stuff is just not helpful," Vance said in response to another post shared by Musk calling for Trump to be impeached and replaced with Vance.
"It's totally insane. The president is doing a good job."
Vance called Musk an "incredible entrepreneur" and said that Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, which sought to cut government spending and laid off or pushed out thousands of workers, was "really good".
The vice president also defended the bill that has drawn Musk's ire, and said its central goal was not to cut spending but to extend the 2017 tax cuts approved in Trump's first term.
Musk has warned that the bill will increase the federal deficit and called it a "disgusting abomination".
"It's a good bill," Vance said.
"It's not a perfect bill."
Trump indicated in a phone interview with NBC on Saturday that he has no plans to make up with Musk.
Asked specifically if he thought his relationship with Musk is over, Trump responded "I would assume so, yeah".
"No," Trump told NBC when asked if he had any desire to repair his relationship with Musk.
"I have no intention of speaking to him," Trump said.
However, Trump said he had not thought about terminating US government contracts with Musk's StarLink satellite internet or SpaceX rocket launch companies.
with AP
US Vice President JD Vance says Elon Musk was making a "huge mistake" going after President Donald Trump in a storm of bitter and inflammatory social media posts after a falling out between the two men.
But the vice president, in a podcast interview released after the very public blow up between the world's richest man and arguably the world's most powerful, also tried to downplay Musk's blistering attacks as an "emotional guy" who got frustrated.
"I hope that eventually Elon comes back into the fold. Maybe that's not possible now because he's gone so nuclear," Vance said.
Vance's comments come as other Republicans in recent days have urged the two men, who months ago were close allies spending significant time together, to mend fences.
Musk's torrent of social media posts attacking Trump came as the president portrayed him as disgruntled and "crazy" and threatened to cut the government contracts held by his businesses.
Musk, who runs electric vehicle maker Tesla, internet company Starlink and rocket company SpaceX, lambasted Trump's centrepiece tax cuts and spending bill but also suggested Trump should be impeached and claimed without evidence that the government was concealing information about the president's association with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
"Look, it happens to everybody," Vance said in the interview with comedian Theo Von.
"I've flown off the handle way worse than Elon Musk did in the last 24 hours."
Vance told Von that as Musk for days was calling on social media for the US Congress to kill Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill," the president was "getting a little frustrated, feeling like some of the criticisms were unfair coming from Elon, but I think has been very restrained because the president doesn't think that he needs to be in a blood feud with Elon Musk".
"I actually think if Elon chilled out a little bit, everything would be fine," he added.
Musk had by Saturday morning deleted his X posts about Trump and Epstein.
The interview was recording on Thursday as Musk's posts were unfurling on X, the social media network the billionaire owns.
During the interview, Von showed the vice president Musk's claim that Trump's administration hasn't released all the records related to sex abuser Jeffrey Epstein because Trump is mentioned in them.
Vance responded to that, saying "Absolutely not. Donald Trump didn't do anything wrong with Jeffrey Epstein".
"This stuff is just not helpful," Vance said in response to another post shared by Musk calling for Trump to be impeached and replaced with Vance.
"It's totally insane. The president is doing a good job."
Vance called Musk an "incredible entrepreneur" and said that Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, which sought to cut government spending and laid off or pushed out thousands of workers, was "really good".
The vice president also defended the bill that has drawn Musk's ire, and said its central goal was not to cut spending but to extend the 2017 tax cuts approved in Trump's first term.
Musk has warned that the bill will increase the federal deficit and called it a "disgusting abomination".
"It's a good bill," Vance said.
"It's not a perfect bill."
Trump indicated in a phone interview with NBC on Saturday that he has no plans to make up with Musk.
Asked specifically if he thought his relationship with Musk is over, Trump responded "I would assume so, yeah".
"No," Trump told NBC when asked if he had any desire to repair his relationship with Musk.
"I have no intention of speaking to him," Trump said.
However, Trump said he had not thought about terminating US government contracts with Musk's StarLink satellite internet or SpaceX rocket launch companies.
with AP
US Vice President JD Vance says Elon Musk was making a "huge mistake" going after President Donald Trump in a storm of bitter and inflammatory social media posts after a falling out between the two men.
But the vice president, in a podcast interview released after the very public blow up between the world's richest man and arguably the world's most powerful, also tried to downplay Musk's blistering attacks as an "emotional guy" who got frustrated.
"I hope that eventually Elon comes back into the fold. Maybe that's not possible now because he's gone so nuclear," Vance said.
Vance's comments come as other Republicans in recent days have urged the two men, who months ago were close allies spending significant time together, to mend fences.
Musk's torrent of social media posts attacking Trump came as the president portrayed him as disgruntled and "crazy" and threatened to cut the government contracts held by his businesses.
Musk, who runs electric vehicle maker Tesla, internet company Starlink and rocket company SpaceX, lambasted Trump's centrepiece tax cuts and spending bill but also suggested Trump should be impeached and claimed without evidence that the government was concealing information about the president's association with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
"Look, it happens to everybody," Vance said in the interview with comedian Theo Von.
"I've flown off the handle way worse than Elon Musk did in the last 24 hours."
Vance told Von that as Musk for days was calling on social media for the US Congress to kill Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill," the president was "getting a little frustrated, feeling like some of the criticisms were unfair coming from Elon, but I think has been very restrained because the president doesn't think that he needs to be in a blood feud with Elon Musk".
"I actually think if Elon chilled out a little bit, everything would be fine," he added.
Musk had by Saturday morning deleted his X posts about Trump and Epstein.
The interview was recording on Thursday as Musk's posts were unfurling on X, the social media network the billionaire owns.
During the interview, Von showed the vice president Musk's claim that Trump's administration hasn't released all the records related to sex abuser Jeffrey Epstein because Trump is mentioned in them.
Vance responded to that, saying "Absolutely not. Donald Trump didn't do anything wrong with Jeffrey Epstein".
"This stuff is just not helpful," Vance said in response to another post shared by Musk calling for Trump to be impeached and replaced with Vance.
"It's totally insane. The president is doing a good job."
Vance called Musk an "incredible entrepreneur" and said that Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, which sought to cut government spending and laid off or pushed out thousands of workers, was "really good".
The vice president also defended the bill that has drawn Musk's ire, and said its central goal was not to cut spending but to extend the 2017 tax cuts approved in Trump's first term.
Musk has warned that the bill will increase the federal deficit and called it a "disgusting abomination".
"It's a good bill," Vance said.
"It's not a perfect bill."
Trump indicated in a phone interview with NBC on Saturday that he has no plans to make up with Musk.
Asked specifically if he thought his relationship with Musk is over, Trump responded "I would assume so, yeah".
"No," Trump told NBC when asked if he had any desire to repair his relationship with Musk.
"I have no intention of speaking to him," Trump said.
However, Trump said he had not thought about terminating US government contracts with Musk's StarLink satellite internet or SpaceX rocket launch companies.
with AP
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West Australian
30 minutes ago
- West Australian
Trade talks rest on Anthony Albanese's meeting with Donald Trump in Canada
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9 News
40 minutes ago
- 9 News
The Washington power couple straddling the Trump-Musk feud
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here They're the Washington couple at the centre of power in the Trump administration. They're also straddling opposing sides of an explosive breakup between US President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk . CNN reported last week that Katie Miller, the wife of Stephen Miller, Trump's deputy chief of staff, would be departing her senior role at the White House as a top spokesperson and adviser for Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency. She was on her way to work for Musk as he went back to running his companies, helping the tech titan manage and arrange interviews unrelated to his time in government. Washington power couple - Katie Miller and her husband Stephen Miller. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Getty/CNN) But days later, amid the smoldering ruin of Musk and Trump's epic meltdown on Thursday over social media, that job suddenly took on a whole new layer. Among the attacks both men lobbed at each other was Musk endorsing the possibility of impeaching Trump and installing Vice President JD Vance in his place. Trump, in turn, raised the possibility of terminating federal contracts for Musk's companies. The episode has left the Millers on conflicting sides of the biggest breakup of Trump's second term, spawning gossip among White House aides and rounds of speculation about how the fallout could impact the political fortunes of one of the most powerful couples in Trump's Washington, where loyalty reigns. Elon Musk, centre, and Stephen Miller, right, during a meeting in the Oval Office in February. (Francis Chung/Politico/Bloomberg/Getty/CNN) "Everyone is talking about it," a former Trump staffer told CNN. Katie Miller was in Texas last week for the series of interviews Musk held with space and technology journalists as SpaceX's Starship had its ninth test flight. It was there that Musk first delicately expressed he was "disappointed" in the Republican's domestic policy bill in an interview with CBS News. Her X account is now a steady stream of laudatory posts about Musk and his companies, with a banner photo of a SpaceX rocket launching into space and a biography that says, "wife of @stephenm." Her only social media post on Friday was a reply with laughing emojis to an altered photo of her husband as a Home Depot employee attached to a post about immigration raids on the chain's stores. Elon Musk and his son X Æ accompanied by Katie Miller at the US Capitol Building in May. (via CNN) One former colleague told CNN that she will ultimately need to make a choice. "She has a choice between Elon and Trump, but it can't be both," the administration official said. Musk unfollowed Stephen Miller on X on Thursday, although both Millers continued following Musk on the platform into Friday. 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The Millers attend a state dinner in Washington to honour then-Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. (Alastair Pike/AFP/Getty Images via CNN) Deeply connected and influential in Republican circles and at the highest levels of government, Stephen Miller and Katie Miller (née Waldman) met during Trump's first term in 2018. He was a senior adviser and speechwriter at the White House; she was on the Department of Homeland Security's public affairs team and on her way to becoming then-Vice President Mike Pence's communications director. He developed a reputation as the architect of some of the administration's most hardline immigration policies, becoming an influential and trusted aide in the Trump orbit. She developed her own reputation as a staunch supporter of those policies, once reflecting on a trip to the US-Mexico border as the administration came under fire for its child separation policy. "My family and colleagues told me that when I have kids I'll think about the separations differently. But I don't think so … DHS sent me to the border to see the separations for myself – to try to make me more compassionate – but it didn't work," Miller told NBC News journalist Jacob Soboroff in an interview for his book, "Separated." The pair married at Trump's Washington, DC, hotel in February 2020. Trump attended the wedding. In the four years after Trump left office, both set their sights on a Trump return to the White House. Stephen Miller launched a conservative nonprofit group, America First Legal Foundation, that served in part as a prelude to the policy of Trump's second term. Katie Miller headed to the private sector, where she consulted a number of major companies, including Apple. They were also raising three young children. Stephen Miller returned to the White House in January with a vast mandate, deeply involved in many of the president's signature policy initiatives and further empowered from the first term. Katie Miller joined the administration as well, working on behalf of DOGE and Musk, who had become a new figure in the Trump orbit after being an active campaign surrogate and 2024 megadonor. Like Musk, Katie Miller was working at the White House as a "Special Government Employee", which limits the number of days one can work within the administration. As their professional lives intertwined, the couple also became personally close with Musk, socialising outside of work. In the heat of the Thursday afternoon social media showdown, Stephen Miller had been scheduled to appear on Larry Kudlow's show on Fox Business Network – an appearance that was canceled. "We lost Mr Miller to a meeting in the Oval Office. Perfectly understandable. When I was in government, it would happen all the time. We'd have to kill a TV show. You're at the president's beck and call," Kudlow said during his eponymous broadcast. This is not the first time Trump has divided a marital relationship. During his first term, Trump lashed out at the husband of one of his top advisers, Kellyanne Conway. Her husband, George Conway, had been intensely critical of Trump on social media. "He's a whack job. There's no question about it. But I really don't know him," Trump said at the time of George Conway. "I think he's doing a tremendous disservice to a wonderful wife." In 2023, the couple announced they were filing for divorce. George Conway, a prolific user of Musk's X platform and ardent anti-Trump figure, posted dozens of times about the Trump-Musk spat. "Does anyone have any updates on Katie Miller?" he asked Thursday evening. Donald Trump elon musk US POLITICS USA World CONTACT US Property News: The last inner Sydney suburbs where houses cost under $2m.
Sky News AU
2 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Trade talks between Australia and US 'ultimately a matter for President Trump' says Trade Minister Don Farrell ahead of G7 Summit
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