How Elon Musk Is Responding to LA Riots During Feud With Trump
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Elon Musk shared comments made by President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance related to the Los Angeles riots during his ongoing public feud with Trump over the "One Big Beautiful Bill" proposal.
On Sunday, Musk shared a Truth Social post by Trump on X criticizing California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
"Governor Gavin Newscum and 'Mayor' Bass should apologize to the people of Los Angeles for the absolutely horrible job that they have done, and this now includes the ongoing L.A. riots," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "These are not protesters, they are troublemakers and insurrectionists."
Why It Matters
Protests broke out in Los Angeles over the weekend following reports that detainees were being held in the basement of a federal building. ICE denied these allegations, with a spokesperson previously telling Newsweek the agency "categorically refutes the assertions made by immigration activists in Los Angeles."
The Trump administration has conducted numerous ICE raids, some of which have swept up individuals with proper documentation.
Trump deployed National Guard troops to Los Angeles following violence toward law enforcement officials.
What To Know
Musk also showed support after Vance shared another Truth Social post made by Trump on X.
"A once great American city, Los Angeles, has been invaded and occupied by Illegal Aliens and Criminals," Trump wrote. "Now violent, insurrectionist mobs are swarming and attacking our Federal Agents to try and stop our deportation operations—But these lawless riots only strengthen our resolve."
In Vance's repost of the comments, he added, "This moment calls for decisive leadership. The president will not tolerate rioting and violence."
Musk shared both Vance and Trump's comments with two American flag emojis.
Elon Musk attends a news conference with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, May 30, 2025, in Washington.
Elon Musk attends a news conference with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, May 30, 2025, in Washington.
AP Photo/Evan Vucci
Newsweek reached out to the White House and representatives for Musk for comment.
The rift between Musk and Trump had intensified after Musk, once the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in Trump's administration, launched scathing public criticism of Trump's signature "One Big Beautiful Bill" proposal.
Musk repeatedly denounced the legislation as "outrageous," "pork-filled," and a "disgusting abomination," a stance that undercut the two men's previously close working and political relationship.
Trump initially avoided direct confrontation, but as Musk's messaging intensified across social media, Trump publicly responded, calling his former ally "crazy" and suggesting Musk suffered from "Trump derangement syndrome."
The situation escalated further after Musk went beyond fiscal disagreements and claimed, without substantiation, that Trump's name appeared in the Jeffrey Epstein files. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has called Musk's claim "an unfortunate episode."
Trump countered by threatening "very serious consequences" if Musk decided to financially back Democratic candidates, a move some observers speculated Musk might consider as the feud deepened. Trump has dismissed the idea of reconciliation, asserting the relationship was over and accusing Musk of disrespecting the office of the presidency.
Trump pushed the confrontation into the economic realm by announcing that cutting government contracts and subsidies to Musk's various enterprises, such as SpaceX and Tesla, would be the "easiest way" for the government to save money. Trump referenced Musk's critical response to the removal of the so-called EV Mandate as a turning point, accusing Musk of having gone "crazy" after this policy change.
The White House characterized Musk's criticisms as stemming from disappointment over the legislative process, and Trump used his social media platform to emphasize the bill's fiscal benefits and to further depict Musk as acting erratically in the aftermath of regulatory shifts affecting electric vehicles.
What People Are Saying
Trump, on Truth Social: "Order will be restored, the Illegals will be expelled, and Los Angeles will be set free."
Musk, reacting to a photo of the riots on X: "This is not O.K …."
What Happens Next
The riots in Los Angeles are ongoing. California officials are calling for the withdrawal of the National Guard.
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