Trump-Musk feud deepens: President labels Elon a ‘drug addict’, cautions J.D. Vance

US President Donald Trump has intensified his public feud with Tesla CEO Elon Musk by labeling him a “big-time drug addict,” according to indirect statements attributed to aides and campaign officials speaking with The Washington Post and The Daily Beast. The remarks, which reportedly surfaced during private conversations among White House insiders, have placed Vice President J.D. Vance in a difficult position after Trump advised him to exercise restraint when commenting on Musk in public forums.

What did President Trump say about Elon Musk?

Multiple sources familiar with the situation have confirmed that President Trump referred to Elon Musk as a “big-time drug addict” during recent internal discussions. These remarks were reportedly triggered by Musk’s escalating public attacks against the Trump administration and the president’s signature legislative proposal, the One Big Beautiful Bill. According to officials quoted by The Washington Post, Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with Musk’s erratic behavior, attributing it to alleged ketamine misuse that was initially tied to medical treatment.

While no official White House transcript or press release included the term, the phrase has now dominated headlines and social media discourse following confirmation by at least two individuals present during the private briefing.

Why did Trump warn Vice President J.D. Vance?

Trump’s warning to Vice President J.D. Vance came after Musk publicly called for Trump’s impeachment, labeled his legislative agenda “a disgrace,” and briefly shared a since-deleted X post implying the president may be named in sealed documents related to financier Jeffrey Epstein. According to reporting by The Daily Beast, Trump contacted Vance and other close allies, advising them to “be cautious” and avoid echoing Musk’s critiques in any media appearances.

Vice President Vance, during a podcast appearance on June 6 with comedian Theo Von, seemed to follow the president’s lead. He remarked that Musk was making a “huge mistake” by instigating conflict with Trump, and noted the importance of “chilling out” rather than escalating intra-party tension.

What sparked the Trump-Musk breakdown?

Tensions between President Trump and Elon Musk have simmered since the early days of the Trump administration’s second term. Musk briefly led the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) before resigning within four months, allegedly after a physical confrontation with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Since leaving the administration, Musk has increasingly criticized Trump’s economic and social policies, culminating in public calls for his removal from office.

The final trigger, according to campaign aides, was Musk’s characterization of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” as fiscally irresponsible. Trump, who had counted on Musk’s support within the pro-business wing of the Republican Party, viewed the criticism as a betrayal.

Did Elon Musk respond to the drug accusations?

As of June 7, Musk has not directly responded to Trump’s accusation of drug misuse. However, previous reports from The Wall Street Journal have acknowledged that Musk takes ketamine under medical supervision for mental health purposes. The Tesla CEO has also made public remarks defending the use of psychedelics and alternative treatments in high-performance professional environments, though he has not addressed the president’s recent allegations.

Industry observers and Tesla board members have refrained from public comment on the matter.

How are financial markets reacting?

Tesla Inc. shares (NASDAQ: TSLA) fell more than 15% following the wave of headlines linking Musk to presidential rebuke and drug allegations. It marked the worst single-day drop for the electric vehicle maker since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Analysts at Morgan Stanley and Wedbush attributed the slump not only to political volatility but also to concerns about Musk’s mental state and leadership stability.

Shares of Trump Media & Technology Group (NASDAQ: DJT) also declined nearly 9% on June 6, as the feud fed broader concerns over the political risks surrounding Trump’s growing entanglements with high-profile business figures.

What happens next in the Trump–Musk standoff?

Political strategists believe Trump’s decision to issue veiled threats—such as the possible loss of federal contracts—without direct retaliation reflects a deliberate, strategic containment effort. According to senior campaign aides, the president has no current plans to rescind Musk’s symbolic “White House key” or pursue direct legal avenues, but maintains that support for Democratic candidates from Musk could “change everything.”

For now, Trump appears to be signaling both disapproval and restraint, aiming to isolate Musk without alienating tech donors or conservative libertarians who remain sympathetic to Musk’s views on government reform and AI deregulation.

Why is this feud significant for the Republican landscape?

The Trump–Musk fallout is more than a personal clash—it reflects an ideological rift between traditional MAGA loyalists and tech-savvy libertarians aligned with deregulation and disruptive governance. Trump’s warning to Vance is seen by analysts as a move to consolidate control over his administration’s messaging while asserting dominance over rogue allies.

With Musk increasingly vocal on issues like immigration, education, and global conflict—and now drifting away from GOP orthodoxy—the breakup could redraw the boundaries of conservative influence in Silicon Valley and among younger tech-leaning voters.

How are political leaders and institutions reacting to the Trump–Musk fallout?

Within the Republican Party, the response has been muted but cautious. Lawmakers aligned with Trump have privately acknowledged concerns over Musk’s “instability” and “inconsistency,” according to AP reporting. Meanwhile, tech lobby groups are reportedly pressuring both Tesla and SpaceX to distance their brands from political controversy ahead of the Q2 earnings cycle.

On the Democratic side, several figures have used the feud to argue that Trump cannot maintain cohesive relationships with powerful innovators—while quietly signaling openness to engaging Musk on bipartisan innovation policy.

What does the Trump–Musk clash reveal about power dynamics in 2025 politics?

This highly publicized feud comes just five months into Trump’s new term and could represent an early test of the administration’s tolerance for intra-party dissent. As of June 8, there have been no further statements from the White House, but aides indicate the situation remains fluid.

Musk’s next moves—whether confrontational or conciliatory—could determine how other influential figures in business and politics navigate their own standing in the Trump presidency.