*Trump and Musk Feud Ignites Over Tax Bill, Epstein Allegations* https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaIZskwFSAt2q5y6PN2M A public clash between President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk has erupted, unraveling their once-robust alliance. The feud, playing out on X and in public statements, centers on Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” tax and spending legislation, with tensions spiking over Musk’s unverified claims tying Trump to the Jeffrey Epstein files. The conflict ignited when Musk, who recently resigned as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), slammed the tax bill as a “budget-busting monstrosity” on X, arguing it would balloon the national deficit. Trump hit back, suggesting Musk’s opposition stemmed from the bill’s cuts to electric vehicle subsidies, which could hurt Tesla. “Elon’s upset because his subsidies are on the chopping block,” Trump remarked during a Thursday press conference alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Musk escalated the dispute, claiming on X that his support was pivotal to Trump’s 2024 election win and alleging, without proof, that Trump’s name appears in the unreleased Epstein files, explaining their delayed release. The White House condemned Musk’s remarks as “baseless and divisive.” The fallout has rocked markets, with Tesla’s stock plunging 14% on Thursday, erasing $152 billion in value, after Trump threatened to slash government contracts for Musk’s companies, including SpaceX. Musk briefly suggested decommissioning SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, vital for NASA, before backtracking. Despite calls for reconciliation from figures like investor Bill Ackman, the rift shows no signs of mending, with both Trump and Musk digging in. The feud underscores deep policy and personal divides, captivating observers as it unfolds. *Follow umuaka News24 for local and global trends*