Elon Musk, known for his candid commentary and high-profile business ventures, has acknowledged that his recent remarks about former President Donald Trump may have crossed a line. The tech billionaire, speaking on his platform X (formerly Twitter), expressed regret over what he termed a “moment of frustration” and emphasized the importance of “de-escalation” in political discourse.

The controversy began after Musk made a series of inflammatory posts criticizing Trump’s alleged refusal to release documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. In one of the most pointed messages, Musk even floated the idea of impeachment, suggesting that Trump’s behavior was undermining transparency and the public’s right to know.

Trump swiftly responded with a combative tone, reminding Musk of SpaceX’s $22 billion in active government contracts. In a post of his own on Truth Social, Trump suggested Musk “owed everything to government funding” and hinted at “serious consequences” if the attacks continued. He also accused Musk of “biting the hand that fed him,” referencing Musk’s participation in Trump’s economic advisory council during his presidency.

Musk initially stood firm but soon began to delete several of the more inflammatory posts. Speaking at a Tesla shareholders’ meeting a few days later, Musk addressed the controversy directly.

“Look, I’ve said a lot of things online that, in hindsight, could have been handled better,” Musk said. “We are in a very polarized environment, and while I have strong opinions, I recognize that attacking individuals—especially someone as consequential as a former president—only adds fuel to the fire.”

Musk’s candid reflection has been met with mixed reactions. Supporters see it as a mature acknowledgment of overreach, while critics accuse him of trying to dodge accountability after realizing the economic implications of the feud.

Indeed, investors appeared to breathe a sigh of relief. Tesla shares rose 2.6% in pre-market trading following Musk’s statement, and analysts noted that the move likely helped stabilize ongoing contract negotiations for SpaceX.

Adding to the complexity is Musk’s recent support of Trump’s hardline stance on law and order, particularly in response to the protests and unrest in Los Angeles. “While we may disagree on some things,” Musk posted, “President Trump is absolutely right to restore order and protect citizens.”

This olive branch appears to have been noticed. Trump, in a rare moment of conciliation, responded: “I wish Elon well. He’s done incredible things with Tesla and SpaceX.” Musk replied with a single red heart emoji, sending social media into a frenzy over a potential thaw in relations.

Political analysts note that both Musk and Trump are navigating a precarious dance. For Trump, maintaining support from influential tech leaders like Musk is crucial heading into the 2026 election cycle. For Musk, keeping government partnerships intact is essential for the growth of SpaceX and other federally linked projects like the Starlink satellite network.

In retrospect, Musk’s regret may not be just about the content of his posts but the ripple effect they caused. It’s a reminder that in the age of digital immediacy, even the world’s most powerful individuals are just one post away from controversy.