White House issues fierce response to Elon Musk’s

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has responded to the growing feud between Donald Trump and Elon Musk, calling it an “unfortunate episode.” Once allies, the two have clashed after Musk criticized Trump’s major legislative proposal, the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Trump expressed disappointment in Musk’s reaction, while Musk escalated the situation by accusing the former president of being named in unreleased Jeffrey Epstein files—though he offered no evidence. Musk’s comments have intensified the public fallout between the billionaire and the president.

Leavitt addressed the issue in interviews with CNN and Fox News, defending Trump’s focus on passing the bill and suggesting Musk’s frustrations stem from its lack of favorable policies for his businesses. She noted Musk had recently praised Trump’s leadership on cutting government waste. Leavitt emphasized that while Musk has a right to speak as a businessman, Trump has a duty to prioritize the country. She praised the bill as a historic achievement that includes major tax cuts for working- and middle-class Americans, extends the 2017 Trump tax reforms, and fulfills key campaign promises.