'If Elon Chilled Out A Bit...': JD Vance Calls Trump-Musk Feud A 'Huge Mistake'

Last Updated:June 08, 2025, 14:02 IST

US Vice President JD Vance expressed hope for reconciliation between Donald Trump and Elon Musk, who engaged in a bitter spat a few days ago that shocked Republicans.

US Vice President JD Vance (Reuters/File)

US Vice President JD Vance appealed for calm between US President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk following an explosive public feud between the two former close allies, saying Musk was making a “huge mistake" by going after the president.

In an interview with comedian Theo Von released on Friday, Vance – along with other Republicans – expressed hope for reconciliation between the two leaders, while downplaying Musk’s blistering attacks, attributing it to 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.

Tensions flared between Trump and Musk on Thursday following the Tesla boss’ public criticism of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act", which he referred to as a “disgusting abomination". Musk launched a tirade of allegations against Trump, saying his name was in the Jeffrey Epstein files and suggesting he should be impeached.

“I’m not saying he has to agree with the bill or agree with everything that I’m saying," Vance told Von. “I just think it’s a huge mistake for the world’s wealthiest man — I think one of the most transformational entrepreneurs ever — to be at war with the world’s most powerful man, who I think is doing more to save the country than anybody in my lifetime."

‘If Elon Chilled Out A Bit’

Highlighting Musk’s repeated calls to “kill the bill", Vance said the US 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. Regarding Musk’s frustration with the bill, Vance said, “It happens to everybody. I’ve flown off the handle way worse than Elon Musk did in the last 24 hours."

The interview was taped on Thursday as Musk’s posts were unfurling on X, the social media network the billionaire owns. When asked about Musk’s claim on Epstein files, Vance said, “Absolutely not. Donald Trump didn’t do anything wrong with Jeffrey Epstein."

“This stuff is just not helpful. It’s totally insane. The president is doing a good job," Vance said in response to another post shared by Musk calling for Trump to be impeached and replaced with Vance.

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. “It’s a good bill. It’s not a perfect bill."

(with agency inputs)

Aveek Banerjee

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...Read More

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...

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Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

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News world 'If Elon Chilled Out A Bit...': JD Vance Calls Trump-Musk Feud A 'Huge Mistake'