JD Vance reveals how President Trump really feels about Elon's attacks and reacts to awkward call for impeachment
Vice President JD Vance revealed behind-the-scenes details of Elon Musk 's blow-up on social media on Friday and President Donald Trump 's reaction.
Vance spoke about the incident in a podcast interview with comedian Theo Von that was recorded on Thursday as the fight between the pair of billionaires escalated.
The vice president found himself reacting in real time to some of Musk's posts on X during the interview, including an awkward post where Musk endorsed the idea of impeaching President Trump and installing Vance as president.
'I just think the idea that the president should be impeached, I'm sorry, it's insane. It's totally insane, Vance said, describing Musk's social media tirade as 'not helpful.'
He said that obviously Musk had the First Amendment right to disagree with the president but that it was a mistake for him to attack Trump.
Vance also shot down Musk's claim that the president was 'in the Epstein files' even though he admitted he hadn't even seen the post before the interview.
'Absolutely not. Donald Trump didn't do anything wrong with Jeffrey Epstein. Like, there's the guy is whatever the Democrats and the media says about him, that's totally BS,' he said.
The vice president was with the president when Musk's criticism of Trump began, but had not seen all the posts as he traveled to Nashville for the interview with Vonn.
Theo Von asks JD Vance about Elon Musk's attacks against President Trump
'I know the president, for a couple of days, I'll tell you, I don't want to reveal too many confidences, but he was getting a little frustrated, feeling like some of the criticisms were unfair coming from Elon,' he said.
Vance said that Trump was actually quite restrained in his response to Musk, again asserting that Musk's attacks were not good for the country.
'But I think it's 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 said.
Musk signaled his opposition to the 'Big Beautiful Bill' on Thursday and posted criticism of the president on social media.
Trump responded to Musk in real time, speaking to reporters during his meeting with the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio sat beside the president as he spoke, but did not speak about Musk themselves.
The president's comments in the Oval Office further aggravated Musk, after clips of the news conference made their way to his social media feed.
The highly-anticipated interview between Vance and Von was the first time the vice president spoke on camera about the feud.
He reserved his public reaction for several hours as Musk fumed on social media about the president.
The vice president defended President Trump on social media Friday morning.
'There are many lies the corporate media tells about President Trump. One of the most glaring is that he's impulsive or short-tempered,' Vance wrote on X.
'Anyone who has seen him operate under pressure knows that's ridiculous. It's (maybe) the single biggest disconnect between fake media perception and reality,' he continued.
The vice president teased his interview with Von on social media, joking that he had no idea what they would talk about.
Musk shared the post with a laugh-crying emoji, suggesting that the vice president had lightened the mood.
Vance also posted a statement in support of Trump late in the evening.
'President Trump has done more than any person in my lifetime to earn the trust of the movement he leads. I'm proud to stand beside him,' Vance wrote at 10:30 pm EST on X.
Vance has sided with Trump, but has demonstrated caution about attacking Musk, as he is still a very powerful and influential political donor.
The vice president considers Musk a friend, and he defended the unpredictable billionaire as he prepared to exit the administration as a special advisor.
'I am going to miss him. Elon's become a very good friend,' Vance told Newsmax host Greg Kelly in an interview last week.
Vance and Musk already had a relationship prior to the campaign, but their friendship has deepened since the election.
'He and his kids have come to our house and had dinner with our kids. I'm very close to him,' Vance said.
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