By F. Dayo Olusola | M10News | June 7, 2025
Elon Musk has sparked controversy after implying Donald Trump could be named in sealed documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein.
The cryptic social media post, made on X, suggested “certain names” in confidential files would “shock the public” if unsealed.
Musk did not provide evidence or directly accuse the president, but the suggestion was widely interpreted as a swipe at Trump.
Trump’s campaign fired back, calling the remarks “false, defamatory and desperate.”
The feud marks a dramatic breakdown in relations between the pair, who once presented a united front on issues ranging from free speech to deregulation.
Last month, Musk criticised Trump’s proposed tax and budget bill, describing it as a “disgusting abomination” that would “explode the federal deficit.”
Trump responded by saying, “Elon and I had a great relationship. I don’t know if we will ever again.”
The back-and-forth escalated across rival platforms, with Musk using X and Trump responding on Truth Social.
The row has also drawn attention to Musk’s use of the term “Dark MAGA,” a phrase linked to a fringe ideology calling for authoritarian leadership backed by tech elites.
The term is rooted in the “dark enlightenment,” a theory that calls for replacing democratic systems with CEO-style governance.
American tech theorist Curtis Yarvin, seen as the main architect of the ideology, said Musk’s rhetoric signals a shift towards a “corporate-political hybrid power structure.”
“Tech power is now entering the political arena,” he told The Fifth Column Podcast this week.
Musk has previously leaned into the imagery. In April, he wore a black version of Trump’s MAGA hat, saying he was “not just MAGA, but Dark MAGA.”
Critics say the phrase, once seen as ironic, is now being used to push increasingly radical ideas.
Analysts say the feud is not just personal, but reflects competing visions of American leadership—one rooted in traditional populism, the other in Silicon Valley-style disruption.
“This isn’t just about who’s louder on social media,” said Dr Rachel Klein of Georgetown University. “It’s about who gets to shape power in the next era.”
Security agencies in Washington are reportedly monitoring the rise of online ideologies like Dark MAGA as part of a broader crackdown on extremism.
Officials on the House Committee on Homeland Security have raised concerns about its potential to inspire real-world disinformation or unrest.
Legal experts also warned Musk could face consequences for the Epstein reference.
“This is a very serious allegation, even if vague,” said media lawyer Lisa Bloom. “He’s opening himself up to real legal exposure.”
Musk has not commented further since the backlash, but insiders say he remains intent on “disrupting both parties” as the 2025 election season intensifies.
Trump, meanwhile, has not ruled out legal action over the claim, which he reportedly sees as a “red line.”
As both men gear up for high-stakes battles—Trump in the political arena, Musk across tech and media—their fallout could have implications far beyond their rivalry.
Analysts warn the clash could reshape alliances in both the Republican Party and the online right.
“This is not just a spat,” said Klein. “It’s a realignment of power—and neither side wants to blink first.”
SOURCES
– Curtis Yarvin, The Fifth Column Podcast, June 2025
– Elon Musk on X (@elonmusk), May–June 2025
– Donald Trump campaign, Truth Social, June 2025
– NBC News, “Trump Budget Faces Backlash from GOP Donors,” May 31, 2025
– House Committee on Homeland Security Briefing, May 2025
– Lisa Bloom commentary, M10News legal inquiry
