Elon Musk and President Donald Trump’s feud about the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ continued on Thursday when the tech billionaire responded to the president’s criticism in a post on X.

‘Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate. Such ingratitude,’ Musk wrote in a post responding to Trump’s remarks about him.

While speaking with reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said that he was ‘very disappointed’ by Musk’s vocal criticisms of the bill. The president claimed that Musk knew what was in the bill and ‘had no problem’ with it until the EV incentives had to be cut.

‘I’m very disappointed because Elon knew the inner workings of this bill better than almost anybody sitting here, better than you people. He knew everything about it. He had no problem with it,’ Trump said. ‘All of a sudden, he had a problem. And he only developed the problem when he found out that we’re going to have to cut the EV mandate.’

Musk pushed back on the president’s claim in another post on X and said that ‘this bill was never shown to me even once and was passed in the dead of night so fast that almost no one in Congress could even read it!’

The Tesla founder has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration and Republicans over the last few days because of the legislation that the president has pushed. Musk has taken to calling it the ‘Big Ugly Bill’ and at one point advocated for a ‘Slim, Beautiful Bill.’

Earlier on Thursday, Musk highlighted Trump’s old posts that seemingly align with the tech billionaire’s current positions and objections to the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill.’ 

Trump turned to social media on Thursday afternoon to criticize Musk, who he appointed to find ways to cut $2 trillion after forming the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

‘Elon was ‘wearing thin,’ I asked him to leave, I took away his EV Mandate that forced everyone to buy Electric Cars that nobody else wanted (that he knew for months I was going to do!), and he just went CRAZY!’ Trump said in one post.

‘The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts. I was always surprised that Biden didn’t do it!’ he wrote in another.

Musk has also faced criticism from House Speaker Mike Johnson, who said on Wednesday that he was ‘surprised’ by the former DOGE leader’s objections to the legislation. The Republican lawmaker said that he and Musk, whom he considers a ‘friend,’ had a ‘great conversation’ about the bill on Monday. Johnson told reporters on Wednesday that Musk was ‘flat wrong’ about the legislation.

Meanwhile, there are several Republicans who have expressed solidarity with Musk, including Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah. Additionally, Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said that Musk was right to be concerned that Americans are ‘quickly becoming debt slaves.’

Now that the bill has passed the house, it’s up to the Senate to meet Trump’s July 4 deadline.

As criticism mounts from within former President Joe Biden’s world against former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and her new book, one ex-aide lambasted the now-Independent ombudswoman as ‘kinda dumb’ — a tweet he deleted but later stood by.

Timothy Wu, now a Columbia Law professor, was Biden’s ‘architect’ of antitrust policy whose faculty bio claims he also coined the progressive term ‘net neutrality’ in 2002.

In a now-deleted tweet, Wu wrote: ‘from a [White House] staff perspective, the real problem with Karine Jean-Pierre was that she was kinda dumb.’

‘[She had n]o interest in understanding harder topics. Just gave random incoherent answers on policy,’ Wu added in the trashed tweet.

The X account ‘I work with my word’ replied to the original tweet, calling it ‘pretty racist,’ and the tweet was later deleted, but the reply remained.

Below the reply, Wu added a new line of commentary, saying the Biden White House was ‘full of genius-level Black women. [Jean-Pierre] was not one of them.’ 

In response to another X user asking Wu whether Trump White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt understands executive policy, the professor said a good ombudsperson will ‘meet with policy staff and try and understand what the administration is doing and why.’

After Wu’s original tweet, fellow former Biden advisor Symone Sanders Townsend wrote on X that Democrats ‘going on the record or on background to call Karine ‘dumb’ or ‘stupid’ have crossed a line.’ ‘You can have a valid criticism about how she did the job, but let’s not walk down the road of disrespect,’ Sanders Townsend said.

Fox News Digital reached out to Wu via his Columbia faculty office, where he has taught since 2006.

The former Biden advisor was also a Democratic primary candidate for New York’s lieutenant governorship in 2014, and also worked in the Obama administration and at the Federal Trade Commission.

Jean-Pierre on Wednesday announced that she left the Democratic Party and has become an independent while revealing her upcoming book: ‘Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines.’

She was mocked and criticized by several people in Biden’s orbit besides Wu, including one who said, ‘I wouldn’t ignore what Karine has to say, but it’s not an account in which much weight will be invested — just like her briefings.’

‘At noon on that day [that Biden left office], I became a private citizen who, like all Americans and many of our allies around the world, had to contend with what was to come next for our country. I determined that the danger we face as a country requires freeing ourselves of boxes. We need to be willing to exercise the ability to think creatively and plan strategically,’ Jean-Pierre said of her new independent streak.

Fox News Digital’s Brian Flood and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The Trump administration on Thursday imposed sanctions on four judges at the International Criminal Court over allegations against Israel. 

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions against Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza of Peru, Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou of Benin, and Beti Hohler of Slovenia.

‘These individuals directly engaged in efforts by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute nationals of the United States or Israel, without consent from the United States or Israel,’ Rubio said. 

The sanctions against the Hague-based court are related to Trump Feb. 6 executive order. 

He signed the executive order punishing the ICC in response to its May 2024 arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity amid Israel’s ongoing conflict against Hamas. 

Rubio said the four ICC judges ‘actively engaged in the ICC’s illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America or our close ally, Israel.’

‘The ICC is politicized and falsely claims unfettered discretion to investigate, charge, and prosecute nationals of the United States and our allies,’ he said. ‘This dangerous assertion and abuse of power infringes upon the sovereignty and national security of the United States and our allies, including Israel.’

He said the United States will take ‘whatever actions we deem necessary’ to protect its sovereignty, that of Israel, and other U.S. allies from ‘illegitimate actions by the ICC.’

Rubio noted that member states of the court, ‘many of whose freedom was purchased at the price of great American sacrifices’ and to push back against the court for its ‘disgraceful attack’ against the U.S. and Israel.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the ICC. 

The ICC only prosecutes cases when domestic law enforcement authorities cannot or will not investigate. Israel is not a member of the court. 

Despite the warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, the court has no police powers to enforce warrants, instead choosing to rely on cooperation from its member states.

Billionaire Elon Musk dropped a serious bomb on social media on Thursday when he made allegations that President Donald Trump was in the Jeffrey Epstein file.

‘@RealDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files,’ Musk wrote on X. ‘That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!’

Musk followed the post with another, saying, ‘Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out.’

The former ‘First Buddy’ dropped the allegation in response to a back-and-forth series of social media messages between him and Trump.

Shortly after Musk posted about Trump being in the Epstein file, Trump posted his response to Truth Social.

‘I don’t mind Elon turning against me, but he should have done so months ago. This is one of the Greatest Bills ever presented to Congress,’ Trump said, turning his attention to the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ that is before the Senate. ‘It’s a Record Cut in Expenses, $1.6 Trillion Dollars, and the Biggest Tax Cut ever given. If this Bill doesn’t pass, there will be a 68% Tax Increase, and things far worse than that.’

‘I didn’t create this mess, I’m just here to FIX IT. This puts our Country on a Path of Greatness. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!’ the president added.

Trump lambasted Musk on Thursday afternoon, saying he asked the former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) head to leave.

‘Elon was ‘wearing thin,’ I asked him to leave, I took away his EV Mandate that forced everyone to buy Electric Cars that nobody else wanted (that he knew for months I was going to do!), and he just went CRAZY!’ Trump said on Truth Social.

Musk’s bombshell allegation against Trump comes months after a trove of files pertaining to the Epstein case were released.

In February, Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel explaining the delay in the release of documents and placing blame on an FBI field office in New York.

Bondi said she requested the full Epstein case file before Patel was confirmed as the head of the FBI and received about 200 pages – far fewer than the number of pages released last year in a civil lawsuit connected to Ghisalaine Maxwell, the trafficker’s former lover and convicted accomplice.

Although Bondi pushed for the release of the full dossier, which included records, documents, audio and video recordings, and materials related to Epstein and his clients, the request remains unfulfilled.

One of the key pieces that remains unreleased is a client list, though Bondi claimed in February it was on her desk to be reviewed.

The documents that have been released so far include flight logs, an evidence list, a contact book and a redacted ‘masseuse list’ believed to refer to Epstein’s victims.

Many people named in the documents have never been accused of Epstein-related wrongdoing. However, some have, like Maxwell; Prince Andrew, who has denied allegations of wrongdoing; and Jean-Luc Brunel, a French modeling agent who, like Epstein, died in a jail awaiting trial.

Epstein, Maxwell, and unnamed co-conspirators allegedly abused young women and underage girls between 1996 and his death in 2019, according to the lawsuit. Citing police documents, it alleges that Epstein recruited girls between 14 and 16 as well as students at Palm Beach Community College for ‘sex-tinged sessions.’

Maxwell is appealing her conviction while serving a sentence at a federal prison in Tallahassee. She is due for release in the summer of 2037.

Fox News Digital’s Andrew Mark Miller and Mike Ruiz contributed to this report.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. 

House GOP lawmakers are accusing Elon Musk of going ‘too far’ after he suggested President Donald Trump was ‘in the Epstein files.’

‘Hopefully we never have to answer questions about tweets like that from Elon again,’ said Rep. Pat Fallon, R-Texas, calling Musk’s comments ‘not helpful.’

‘Elon crossed the line today,’ Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, told Fox News Digital,

Musk referenced late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein in relation to Trump Thursday as part of a larger tirade against the president and Republican leaders over their budget reconciliation bill.

The tech billionaire accused Republicans of adding to the national debt — currently nearing $37 trillion — with legislation they’ve called Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill.’

‘Time to drop the really big bomb. [Trump] is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!’ Musk wrote on X. ‘Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out.’

Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, said Musk had ‘gone too far.’

‘There’s just no need for this,’ Nehls said. ‘Those conversations should be taking place behind closed doors.’

Some Republicans argued that any damning information about Trump and Epstein would have already been revealed if it existed.

‘What I would say is, if Joe Biden had Donald Trump in the Epstein logs, there’s no question it would have come out during the campaign,’ Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla., told Fox News Digital. ‘So, I don’t know what’s prompting it. I think it’s all unfortunate.’

Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., questioned why Musk would let his young son, nicknamed ‘X,’ around Trump if he believed he was closely associated with a pedophile.

‘The Biden administration would have put it out. There’s nobody that Democrats hate more than Donald J. Trump, and he’s handing them their lunch every day. So, I don’t put much faith into it,’ Burchett said.

‘Why would he let his kid hang out with the president if that was true? That just doesn’t make any sense. And now he’s calling for his impeachment. I mean, it’s just going off to the deep end.’

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla.,  who is leading a task force on declassifying federal investigations, including Epstein’s, told reporters she did not think Musk’s suggestion held water.

‘Speaking to Jeffrey Epstein, I will be very specific that I do believe that if President Trump was in the Epstein files, they would have released it during the primary, and they didn’t,’ Luna said.

‘So, the fact is, is that I do not believe that President Trump is in the Epstein files, the way that it’s being implied, but either which way, this is why we continue to push for transparency.’

Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., however, stood apart in his answer in calling for more transparency into the Epstein files.

‘Facts will bear out whatever they will,’ Norman said. ‘The Epstein files are bound to come out, and let it come out. We ought to see it. America has a right to know, just like they do with the John F. Kennedy files, the Bobby Kennedy files.’

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt attributed Musk’s tirade to Trump’s bill, which is focused on working- and middle-class tax relief and not benefiting Musk and his companies enough.

‘This is an unfortunate episode from Elon, who is unhappy with the One Big Beautiful Bill because it does not include the policies he wanted. The President is focused on passing this historic piece of legislation and making our country great again,’ Leavitt said.

Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., told Fox News Digital, ‘I could not tell you what Elon Musk’s motivations are, but I can tell you what we’re going to do, which is avoid a $4 trillion tax increase on the American people.

And while it’s well-known the two men were acquainted, a source familiar with the matter pointed out that Trump had kicked Epstein out of his Palm Beach Golf Club.

Trump had permanently banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago for hitting on a teenage daughter of a club member, according to a book, ‘The Grifter’s Club.’ 

‘The administration itself released Epstein files with the President’s name included. This is not a new surprise Elon is uncovering. Everyone already knew this,’ the source said. ‘If Elon truly thought the President was more deeply involved with Epstein, why did he hang out with him for six months and say he ‘loves him as much as a straight man can love a straight man?”

Fox News Digital has also reached out to Musk for comment via his office at Tesla.

Democrats are moving to embrace former Department of Government Efficiency leader Elon Musk as he publicly spats with President Donald Trump, despite many party voters and lawmakers railing against Musk for months as a ‘fascist’ or ‘dictator’ for taking a hatchet to the federal government’s overspending and fraud within the Trump administration.

‘If Biden had a big supporter criticize him, Trump would have hugged him the next day,’ Democrat California Rep. Ro Khanna posted to X on Thursday of Musk’s criticisms of the ‘big, beautiful bill.’ ‘When we refused to meet with @RobertKennedyJr, Trump embraced him & won. We can be the party of sanctimonious lectures, or the party of FDR that knows how to win & build a progressive majority.’

Khanna told Politico on Wednesday that Democrats should ‘ultimately be trying to convince [Musk] that the Democratic Party has more of the values that he agrees with.’

‘A commitment to science funding, a commitment to clean technology, a commitment to seeing international students like him,’ he added. 

Democrat New York Rep. Ritchie Torres told the outlet on Wednesday, ‘I’m a believer in redemption, and he is telling the truth about the legislation.’ 

Torres said Musk has ‘done an enormous amount of damage’ and ‘there are Democrats who see his decimation of the federal workforce and the federal government as an unforgivable sin.’

‘Couldn’t agree with Elon more: kill the bill,’ Jon Favreau, who served as former director of speech writing for former President Barack Obama, posted to X in response to Musk calling on lawmakers to ‘kill’ the legislation.

Musk is in the midst of publicly trading barbs with Trump over the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which is sweeping legislation currently making its way through Congress and aims to fund the president’s agenda. 

‘I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore,’ Musk posted to X on Tuesday. ‘This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.’ 

In addition to Democrats who don’t support the bill, Musk has also found himself aligned with members of the House Freedom Caucus, which is considered the most conservative voting bloc within the lower chamber, as well as staunch fiscal conservatives in the Senate, such as Republicans Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul and Wisconsin Sen. Ron. Johnson, who have publicly rebuked the legislation. 

Some Democrats posting messages favorable of Musk’s comments on the ‘big, beautiful bill’ come after many left-wing voters and lawmakers, as well as federal employees, slammed Musk for months as an unelected billionaire who was helping shape White House policy. Many also took issue with Musk on inauguration day for delivering what dozens of media outlets described as a ‘Nazi-style salute’ to Trump supporters. 

‘If you’re cool and want to defend the ‘Sieg Heils’ and the Nazi salutes … whatever you want to do, that’s on you,’ Democrat New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Coretz said in January following the gesture. ‘I’m on the opposite side of that. I’m not with the Nazis.’

‘I never imagined we would see the day when what appears to be a Heil Hitler salute would be made behind the Presidential seal,’ New York Rep. Jerry Nadler tweeted in January. ‘This abhorrent gesture has no place in our society and belongs in the darkest chapters of human history. I urge all of my colleagues to unite in condemning this hateful gesture for what it is: antisemitism.’

‘He’s incompetent. He’s a thief. He’s a Nazi. And people don’t trust him,’ former Democrat New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman said of Musk in March. 

‘He’s a Nazi nepo baby who breaks everything he touches,’ Massachusetts Democrat Rep. Ayanna Pressley said in February as Musk announced cuts to the federal government via DOGE. ‘And right now he’s locked himself in a room with grandpa’s Social Security check.’

Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey referred to Musk as a ‘dictator’ at an anti-DOGE rally in February.

Fiscal conservatives in Congress have spoken out against the One Big Beautiful Bill Act as one that will increase the U.S. debt ceiling by trillions, including Senate Republicans bucking support for the legislation after its passage in the House last month. 

‘I want the tax cuts to be permanent. But at the same time, I don’t want to raise the debt ceiling $5 trillion,’ Paul told CBS’ ‘Face the Nation’ on Sunday. ‘The GOP will own the debt once they vote for this.’

Trump has admonished the criticism from fiscally conservative Republicans, arguing that Paul, for example, was on the verge of siding with the ‘Radical Left Democrats’ and encouraging a 68% tax hike on Americans if he voted against the legislation. 

Musk, since stepping down from his DOGE role in May after his 130 predetermined days as a special government employee ended, ramped up his criticism of the bill on Wednesday, including encouraging lawmakers to ‘kill the bill.’

On Thursday, Trump directly addressed Musk’s comments, saying in an Oval Office meeting with the chancellor of Germany that he was ‘disappointed’ by Musk’s attacks on the legislation and said he was unsure how their friendly relationship would fare through the criticisms. Trump added that Musk’s disapproval of the bill was allegedly tied to its cuts to electrical vehicle mandates. Musk is the CEO of electric vehicle company Tesla. 

‘I’m very disappointed because Elon knew the inner workings of this bill better than almost anybody sitting here, better than you people. He knew everything about it. He had no problem with it,’ Trump said Thursday. ‘All of a sudden, he had a problem. And he only developed the problem when he found out that we’re going to have to cut the EV mandate.’

‘Elon and I had a great relationship. I don’t know if we will anymore,’ Trump added.

The pair later launched attacks on one another on social media.

‘Elon was ‘wearing thin,’ I asked him to leave, I took away his EV Mandate that forced everyone to buy Electric Cars that nobody else wanted (that he knew for months I was going to do!), and he just went CRAZY!’ Trump posted to X on Thursday. 

‘Such an obvious lie. So sad,’ Musk responded on X.

There are two truths about presidential candidates.  

One: There is no such thing as a perfect candidate. 

Two: It is very difficult to convince party elites that there are no perfect candidates. 

President Donald Trump’s second first 100 days are now behind him, and the Democrats are still struggling to recover after the trauma of the 2024 election. As former President Joe Biden focuses on treatment for his cancer diagnosis, fresh questions about the chronology of Biden’s decline in mental and physical health have further wafted Kamala Harris’ hopes of a second presidential or California gubernatorial bid off the political radar and out to sea. 

The Democrats have made it no secret they are in a desperate quest for the proper frontrunner/savior who can patch the torn fabric of their political and policy agenda, show enough leadership chops to unite both the Democratic Party and the country, and then go on to win back the White House in 2028.  

Former President Bill Clinton used to say of his own complicated story, ‘If you want a perfect candidate, vote for somebody else.’ Yet back in 1992, despite myriad personal dramas, Clinton possessed many elements of the classic successful contender of that era: young but seasoned, a governor from a Southern state, folksy in style but gilded academically (Georgetown and Yale), respected for his brilliance within the party but able to relate to a broad swath of the voting public.  

As always, at this stage of the cycle, the names of dozens of potential contenders from the out-party are being tossed about with the typical fervid combo of optimism, conviction, delusion and brio. But no potential candidate has yet broken out as an obvious frontrunner, let alone a great political athlete or generational talent such as Clinton or President Barack Obama. 

That is not to say that the Democratic field does not include highly intelligent, highly accomplished and highly skilled women and men. The potential contenders are an extraordinary bunch of American leaders. But none has all the necessary elements to take on the current White House or make a clear bid to win it all. 

Clinton, always good for a pithy remark, also has noted, ‘you can put wings on a pig, but you don’t make it an eagle.’ 

In 2028, if one could take a page from Dr. Frankenstein and turn that pig into an eagle, which attributes would the Democrats choose for their perfect model?  

Let’s start with Pete Buttigieg, the former Transportation Secretary under Biden and before that, the wunderkind ‘Mayor Pete’ of South Bend, Indiana. Buttigieg, like Trump, has what one might call a ‘go-on-anything confidence.’ Pete can appear on any television network, any podcast, any stage (from vast stadiums to slatted apple crates), in any state in America, and feel comfortable and poised with his audience. That trait is an essential component for 2028.  

Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, whose good looks and stylish mien often are cited more as a disadvantage than an attribute, has a profound understanding of what is modern and urgent for today’s electorate. Newsom thinks tirelessly about America’s future, and what is important to the young and the old, growing families and hard-working tradespeople, and everyone in between. 

Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, the popular governor of a swing state, understands how to connect with voters in a battleground arena by focusing on economic concerns and remaining on the right side of cultural issues despite party pressure. 

Rahm Emanuel, former congressman, White House chief of staff, mayor of Chicago, and former ambassador to Japan, brings not just his famous rough-and-tumble uncompromising bravado, but an ability to raise massive amounts of cash. His fundraising power comes from the business community, where he made millions; from Hollywood, where his brother, Ari Emanuel remains an uber mover and shaker; and from decades of fundraising amidst America’s wealthiest Democratic communities. 

Amy Klobuchar, senator from Minnesota, has a fierce determination and inner energy that will allow her to set goals and follow through with conviction. This is an essential combo required to win a modern political contest. 

Josh Shapiro, the governor of Pennsylvania, has shown he can twist the old adage of former New York pol Mario Cuomo, who spoke of campaigning in poetry and governing in prose. Shapiro, on the other hand, is able to merge poetry and prose in his governance, achieving solid substantive goals while creating an atmosphere of aspiration and inspiration for his constituents. 

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the congresswoman from New York, has the ‘It Factor.’ Bright, charismatic, and always interesting, she commands attention whenever she speaks. (Or tweets, or comments, or posts, or poses). 

Gina Raimondo, Biden’s Commerce secretary and former governor of Rhode Island, is well-known, well-liked, and well-respected in the business community, which offsets a huge imbalance on the Republican side. A pro-business Democrat, Raimondo can speak the language of the business world, get its political support and earn its trust. 

Ro Khanna, congressman from California, understands policy and how to connect it to the real lives of real people. Khanna is a stand-out in the Democratic Party who can envision viable policy ideas and can explain his plans plainly to the American people. 

Wes Moore, the governor of Maryland, has a powerful origin story and biography. After overcoming some early challenges, Moore thrived academically, served in the military, worked on Wall Street, authored several books, ran a leading nonprofit, and dedicated his life to service. He has shown a capacity to link lessons learned from his life experience to his policy goals.  

Meanwhile, over on the Republican side, the GOP already has their frontrunner. And with JD Vance, there currently is no assembly required.  

With just a few months as vice president under his (Rust) belt, Vance already has proven to be perhaps the most powerful and effectual vice president in history — yes, even including Dick Cheney, Al Gore and LBJ. Not only has Vance brilliantly managed to remain this close to the mercurial Trump without once stepping on his presidential toes, but he has forged solid bonds with fellow politicos (even those who initially looked askance when Vance was tapped for the ticket). 

He has built up an impressive, appropriate and exceedingly visible administrative portfolio and networked productively with the most powerful GOP grassroots activists and fundraising leaders around the country. 

Simultaneously, he trotted out and shielded his attractive young family; and offered a friendly hand and flash of coattails to those peers with presidential aspirations of their own, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin.   

Clinton, always good for a pithy remark, also has noted, ‘you can put wings on a pig, but you don’t make it an eagle.’ 

Vance has an additional, and unique, advantage. Most vice presidents who are champing to step into the top spot only get the chance after slogging through eight long years as a second banana, and must fight for the job just as the country has grown weary of the current administration and are longing for a new dynamic. Some, such as George H. W. Bush, can slide into office riding the departing fumes of their popular boss, while others, such as Al Gore, fumble to seal the deal. 

Vance will be able to run as a sitting vice president after serving just one term, still relevant, still modern, but with a souped-up resume and sleek gravitas. 

That is a feature Doctor Victor Frankenstein couldn’t envision in his wildest dreams. 

And of all the current asymmetrical advantages on the Republican side, this is, by far, the most imposing. 

As a famous scientist once said, ‘It’s alive!’ 

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk may speak to White House aides Friday in an effort to calm his ongoing feud with President Donald Trump, Fox News has learned.

Musk and Trump have been arguing over social media in recent days. The blowup came after Musk started ‘wearing thin’ on Trump for about a month, Fox News senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy reported Friday.

White House aides told Doocy they are not expecting Trump and Musk to speak to each other today, but that Trump administration staffers might try to talk to Musk. 

‘No call scheduled or had. Musk wants a call. POTUS hasn’t made a decision,’ a source familiar with the matter also told Fox News regarding a possible conversation between Trump and Musk.

Doocy also reported that a red Tesla vehicle that Trump bought during a Tesla demonstration on the South Lawn of the White House grounds earlier this year is now expected to be given away or sold off. 

The vehicle with Florida tags, as of Friday, remains parked near the White House on West Executive Drive.

Musk made allegations Thursday that Trump was in the Jeffrey Epstein file.

‘@RealDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files,’ Musk wrote on X. ‘That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!’

Musk followed the post with another, saying, ‘Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out.’

‘This is an unfortunate episode from Elon, who is unhappy with the One Big Beautiful BIll because it does not include the policies he wanted,’ White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said. ‘The President is focused on passing this historic piece of legislation and making our country great again.’

On Truth Social, Trump wrote Thursday that ‘Elon was ‘wearing thin,’ I asked him to leave, I took away his EV Mandate that forced everyone to buy Electric Cars that nobody else wanted (that he knew for months I was going to do!), and he just went CRAZY!’

‘The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts. I was always surprised that Biden didn’t do it!’ Trump also said.

The feud between Musk and Trump rapidly escalated this week when Musk called the Trump-endorsed ‘big, beautiful bill’ a ‘disgusting abomination.’

Musk, who has been openly critical of the proposed reconciliation bill, said Tuesday afternoon that he ‘just can’t stand it anymore.’

‘This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination,’ Musk added in a Tuesday afternoon post on X. ‘Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.’

Fox News’ Peter Doocy, Lucas Tomlinson, Greg Wehner and Alec Schemmel contributed to this report.