Vice President JD Vance has acknowledged the growing public feud between Elon Musk and President Donald Trump, calling it a “blood feud” that threatens not just the individuals involved—but potentially the national interest. While defending Trump and brushing off Musk’s Epstein-related accusations as “BS,” Vance also struck a conciliatory tone, urging the billionaire tech mogul to find his way back into the Trump administration’s good graces.
Vance made his comments during an interview on This Past Weekend with Theo Von, where he praised Musk as a “transformational entrepreneur” and credited him for his past work with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). “I think DOGE was really good. The effort to root out waste, fraud, and abuse in our country was really good,” Vance said. “I hope that eventually Elon kind of comes back into the fold. Maybe that’s not possible now because he’s gone so nuclear—I hope it is.”
The Rift From Reform to Rebellion
The once-strong alliance between Musk and the Trump White House appears to have collapsed over disagreements surrounding the administration’s signature legislative push—the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Musk has criticized the bill for allegedly undermining his efficiency agenda at DOGE and has gone as far as encouraging Americans to pressure lawmakers into rejecting it.
Trump, in turn, publicly expressed his disappointment, while privately hinting at punitive actions—such as canceling federal contracts awarded to Musk’s companies. The back-and-forth escalated when Musk, without presenting evidence, claimed Trump’s name appeared in Jeffrey Epstein’s files—an accusation that Vance flatly dismissed.
“Elon’s new to politics… and he’s suffered a lot for it,” Vance said, referencing the fallout Musk has endured both publicly and financially. Protesters opposed to his political involvement have reportedly targeted Tesla vehicles, showrooms, and charging stations across both the U.S. and Europe. And just this past week, Tesla shares plunged over 14%, resulting in a multi-billion dollar drop in Musk’s net worth.
Politics Isn’t Rocket Science
Vance sympathized with Musk’s frustrations, noting that Washington can be infuriating for an efficiency-driven business leader. “The process in D.C. is more bureaucratic [and] slow-moving,” he said. “So I think there’s some frustrations there. But I think it’s a huge mistake for [Musk] to go after the president like that.”
He emphasized that Musk’s aggressive approach might not only damage his own companies but also distract from the administration’s goals. “Most importantly, it’s going to be bad for the country,” Vance said. “And I don’t think it’s going to be good for Elon either.”
A Divisive Bill, A Divided Alliance
At the heart of the feud lies the White House’s controversial “One Big Beautiful Bill”—a sweeping legislative package that includes historic tax cuts and major fiscal overhauls. Critics, citing Congressional Budget Office (CBO) data, warn the bill could add $3.8 trillion to the national deficit, while only trimming $1 trillion in spending through Medicaid cuts.
The administration has pushed back, arguing the bill is being misrepresented and pointing to projected tariff revenues that could reduce the federal deficit by $2.8 trillion. However, it’s unclear whether the CBO’s deficit estimate directly accounted for the bill in full.
Vance remained firm in his support: “I think that it’s a good bill and it does a lot of good for the American people. Look, Elon’s entitled to his opinion… but I just think it’s a huge mistake for the world’s wealthiest man… to be at war with the world’s most powerful man.”
Vance’s Final Word Reconciliation Still Possible
Despite the intense and public nature of the conflict, Vance insists reconciliation isn’t off the table. He noted that Trump, though clearly irritated by Musk’s comments, hasn’t closed the door completely.
“I don’t want to reveal too many confidences,” Vance said, “but [Trump] was getting a little frustrated, feeling like some of the criticisms were unfair… [Still], the president doesn’t think that he needs to be in a blood feud with Elon Musk.
Conclusion
The clash between Elon Musk and President Trump has rapidly escalated from policy disagreements to a high-stakes personal and political feud. As Vice President JD Vance warns, this “blood feud” not only threatens Musk’s business interests but could also distract from broader national priorities at a critical time. While Vance remains loyal to Trump, he also acknowledges Musk’s immense contributions and expresses hope for reconciliation. Whether Musk takes that path—or continues to challenge the administration—could have lasting consequences not just for both men, but for the country as a whole
2 thoughts on “JD Vance has weighed in on the escalating tensions between Elon Musk and Donald Trump”