Photo — Joe Biden: V011013DL-0556 (Public domain) · Elon Musk: Own work (CC BY 3.0)
The Short Version
The public dispute between former U.S. President Joe Biden and Tesla CEO Elon Musk involved sharp political disagreements over union labor and electric vehicle incentives, social media insults, and federal regulatory enforcement actions against Musk's companies.
Latest Development
Musk settles SEC Twitter disclosure lawsuit
Musk settled the civil suit initiated during the Biden administration by agreeing to pay a $1.5 million penalty while admitting no wrongdoing.
May 4, 2026 · Reported
The Beef
Chronological, newest first. Every entry cites a source.
Beef timeline
May 4, 2026
Musk settles SEC Twitter disclosure lawsuit
ReportedMusk settled the civil suit initiated during the Biden administration by agreeing to pay a $1.5 million penalty while admitting no wrongdoing.
Source ↗February 20, 2025
Justice Department drops SpaceX hiring discrimination case
Legal filingFollowing the change in federal administration, government attorneys filed to dismiss the administrative hiring discrimination case against SpaceX with prejudice.
Source ↗January 14, 2025
SEC sues Musk over delayed Twitter stake disclosures
Legal filingSix days before President Biden left office, the SEC filed a lawsuit alleging Musk failed to timely disclose his 2022 Twitter share purchases, saving over $150 million. Musk accused the agency of being weaponized for political purposes.
Source ↗October 26, 2024
Biden accuses Musk of working in the U.S. illegally in the 1990s
AllegationDuring a campaign speech in Pittsburgh, President Biden alleged that Musk was an illegal worker when he first started his career on a student visa without enrolling in school. Musk responded on X calling Biden a puppet and claiming he was permitted to work.
Source ↗August 2023
DOJ files discrimination complaint against SpaceX
Legal filingThe U.S. Department of Justice filed an administrative complaint alleging that SpaceX routinely discouraged refugees and asylum recipients from applying for positions.
Source ↗February 15, 2023
Biden praises Tesla for expanding charging network access
Public statementIn a brief period of cooperation, President Biden publicly thanked Musk on Twitter after Tesla committed to opening thousands of its Superchargers to non-Tesla electric vehicles.
Source ↗January 2022
Musk calls Biden a 'damp sock puppet'
Public statementAfter President Biden posted a message praising Ford and GM for domestic EV manufacturing without mentioning Tesla, Musk publicly called Biden a damp sock puppet on Twitter.
Source ↗December 2021
Musk opposes Build Back Better legislation
Public statementMusk spoke out against Biden's Build Back Better agenda, specifically criticizing proposed tax credits that favored electric vehicles produced by unionized labor.
Source ↗August 2021
Tesla excluded from White House EV summit
Verified eventThe White House hosted an electric vehicle summit featuring unionized automakers like Ford and General Motors, but did not invite Tesla. Press Secretary Jen Psaki pointed to union representation when questioned about Tesla's absence.
Source ↗February 2021
Musk states Biden administration rejected carbon tax
Public statementIn a podcast interview, Musk stated that the Biden administration rejected his proposal for a carbon tax, telling him it was too politically difficult.
Source ↗January 2021
Musk expresses early optimism for Biden administration
Public statementShortly after Joe Biden took office, Elon Musk stated in an interview that he was excited about the new administration's focus on addressing climate change.
Source ↗
Where It Stands
Dormant. Following the conclusion of Biden's presidency in January 2025, federal regulatory lawsuits initiated during his administration against SpaceX and Musk were dismissed or settled, leaving the public feud dormant.
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Sources
- 1.SourceMusk settles SEC Twitter disclosure lawsuit · May 4, 2026
- 2.SourceJustice Department drops SpaceX hiring discrimination case · Feb 20, 2025
- 3.SourceSEC sues Musk over delayed Twitter stake disclosures · Jan 14, 2025
- 4.SourceBiden accuses Musk of working in the U.S. illegally in the 1990s · Oct 26, 2024
- 5.SourceDOJ files discrimination complaint against SpaceX ·
- 6.SourceBiden praises Tesla for expanding charging network access · Feb 15, 2023
- 7.SourceMusk calls Biden a 'damp sock puppet' ·
- 8.SourceMusk opposes Build Back Better legislation ·
- 9.SourceTesla excluded from White House EV summit ·
- 10.SourceMusk states Biden administration rejected carbon tax ·
- 11.SourceMusk expresses early optimism for Biden administration ·
Allegations are attributed to the party that made them and are not statements of fact.