Musk admits regret over harsh trump posts as republicans urge end to high-profile public feud.

Elon Musk has admitted regret over a series of social media attacks he launched against US President Donald Trump during their recent highly publicised spat.

“They went too far,” Musk posted on X, his own platform, acknowledging his part in the escalating war of words that saw their once-close alliance publicly unravel.

The rift burst into public view after Musk stepped down from his White House role, where he led the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), accusing Trump’s flagship tax bill of being a “disgusting abomination”. His fierce opposition triggered a furious backlash from Trump.

The bill, packed with sweeping tax breaks and ramped-up defence spending, passed through the House of Representatives last month and now awaits Senate scrutiny. At the time, Musk urged Americans to lobby their representatives to reject the bill, warning it could trigger a recession by year’s end.

In a move that fuelled tensions further, Musk also suggested — without providing evidence — that Trump appeared in unreleased government files connected to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The White House flatly dismissed those claims.

Trump responded with fury, accusing Musk of having “lost his mind” and warning he could revoke the billionaire’s lucrative government contracts, estimated to be worth $38bn (£28bn), much of which flows to Musk’s company SpaceX.

In a televised interview with NBC on Sunday, Trump criticised Musk’s conduct. “It’s a very bad thing because he’s very disrespectful. You cannot disrespect the office of the president,” he said. Despite his anger, Trump hinted the door to reconciliation remained open.

Speaking to the New York Post on Wednesday, Trump added: “I think he feels very badly that he said that. No hard feelings.”

Over the weekend, Musk appeared to scrub many of his more incendiary posts, including one where he had called for Trump’s impeachment. The deletions hinted at a softening of tone ahead of what may be a delicate reconciliation.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance confirmed the president remained open to ending the feud. “While Trump was frustrated, he doesn’t want this to become a long-term conflict,” Vance told reporters, adding that he had spoken with both men about Musk continuing his support for the administration.

Most Republican leaders have echoed Vance, quietly pushing for the two men to reconcile, viewing their alliance as politically and financially vital. Democrats, meanwhile, have watched the spectacle unfold from the sidelines.

Musk had been Trump’s biggest donor during the 2024 campaign, earning the reputation of being one of the president’s closest allies. His sudden break from Trump has surprised many in Washington.

The fallout occurred shortly after Musk’s abrupt departure from DOGE, a department he had vowed would slash trillions from federal spending. Musk lasted 129 days in the post. Though his tenure was brief, many DOGE staff members he brought in remain embedded across various federal agencies.

Some former Trump aides reacted sharply to the billionaire’s criticism. Steve Bannon, a longtime Trump confidante, even called for Musk to be deported, citing his South African birth.

The row has raised questions about Musk’s future political role. While his influence in Trump’s inner circle may have waned, his companies remain deeply tied to government contracts and policy decisions, keeping the stakes of this feud high.

For now, with Musk expressing regret and Trump signalling openness to move forward, both camps appear to be carefully navigating a path back to mutual cooperation — though the underlying tensions may linger beneath the surface.