Elon, Trump & the $152 Billion Backpedal
- BossDawg™
- Jun 11
- 3 min read
What’s really going on? Elon Musk's statement that he "regrets" his posts about Donald Trump reflects vulnerability under pressure rather than virtue. This wasn’t a change of heart. It was a strategic retreat from a cliff he didn’t realize he was standing on until Tesla’s value dropped off it.
Let’s break down how a tech titan got burned playing political hardball with a man who practically invented it.
1. From Twitter War to Market Meltdown
Last week, Elon Musk fired off a string of posts criticizing President Trump’s latest tax-and-spending bill. He didn’t stop there—he implied ties to unreleased Epstein files and even voiced support for impeachment. The market clapped back. Hard.
Tesla stock plunged 14.3%, wiping out a staggering $152 billion in market value in a single day—the worst percentage drop in over a year. For context, that’s more than the entire value of Ford and GM combined.
This wasn’t just a correction. It was a warning shot from Wall Street, telling Elon:
“We’re not backing your personal beef if it costs us billions.”
2. Trump’s Trump Card: $38 Billion in Government Deals
Musk’s empire thrives on government contracts—SpaceX launches, Tesla EV credits, and Starlink rural broadband expansions. Trump knows that. And when Musk’s posts crossed a line, Trump hinted loudly at revoking or blocking those federal ties, worth over $38 billion.
This wasn’t a bluff. These deals rely on executive and legislative cooperation. If Trump retakes the White House or leans on GOP allies in Congress, he could strangle Musk’s public funding pipeline. Fast.
Musk’s "regret" wasn’t an apology—it was a financial defense mechanism.
3. The Epstein Gamble: Playing With Fire
One of the now-deleted posts alluded to Trump’s alleged links to Jeffrey Epstein. That took things nuclear.
That kind of accusation—without naming specifics—is the type of move that can backfire in court, in the media, and in Washington. Additionally, it exposed Elon to vulnerability, as previous reporting has tangentially linked him to Epstein through shared events and social connections.
By invoking Epstein, Musk didn’t just attack Trump. He invited scrutiny—of himself.
4. The Wall Street Smackdown
The market didn’t just panic—it revolted. Analysts downgraded Tesla. Investors fled. And within 24 hours, Elon went from bold crusader to PR cleanup mode.
The message was clear:
“We like your cars. We don’t need your drama.”
Baird analysts cited political volatility and looming uncertainty around Tesla’s robotaxi ambitions as key reasons for cutting their rating. Even longtime Musk investors reportedly began calling for a tone-down.
5. The Quiet Call That Changed Everything
Behind the scenes, Musk reportedly called Trump directly on Monday, telling him his posts had “gone too far.” Trump later confirmed the call and publicly softened his tone, calling Elon’s outreach “very nice.”
That private olive branch laid the groundwork for Musk’s public pivot. He didn’t just wake up remorseful—he was advised, pressured, or straight-up told to walk it back.
You don’t delete tweets like those unless the walls are closing in.
6. Tesla’s Bigger Problems Just Got Louder
This fight hit Tesla at a vulnerable moment:
Robotaxi tech is under federal scrutiny for safety
European sales are slipping
Protests over Musk’s political involvement have triggered boycotts and dealership vandalism
Global trust in Tesla’s leadership is shaken
The political volatility isn’t just a distraction. It’s now a liability to Tesla’s brand, business, and investor confidence.
7. Backchannel Mayday
You better believe the phones were lit up.
Tesla boardrooms
SpaceX executives
Silicon Valley VC circles
D.C. lobbyists and agency heads
All of them with one message:
“Fix this now—or risk losing everything.”
Musk’s so-called “regret” is a response to that call—not Trump’s feelings.
👀 Elon Musk didn’t backtrack because of moral clarity. He did it because his empire was suddenly under siege—from the markets, the government, and his own inner circle.
Trump flexed. The market crashed. And Elon remembered what power really looks like in America.
“If you come at the king, you better not miss.”And Elon? He missed. Big time.
🔮 What to Watch Next:
Will Trump retaliate anyway?
Can Musk regain investor confidence?
Will the robotaxi rollout survive this chaos?
The richest man in the world just got a reality check. And the rest of us just got a front-row seat to one of the most expensive political slap-downs in tech history.
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