Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · June 6, 2025 · Entertainment

Late-Night Laughter: Trump vs. Musk Sparks Comedy Gold

Jimmy Fallon smiled as he devoted several minutes to the president and Elon Musk on his show Thursday night, where he and late-night hosts took a lap around the once-close pair

The Twitter Tussle of the Century: Trump and Musk's Epic Feud

In a drama-filled spectacle that left everyone gasping for air, Donald Trump and Elon Musk found themselves at each other's throats on social media, leaving the late-night hosts in stitches. The spat, which has been making waves since yesterday, saw the two billionaires trading barbs and insults like pros, with neither willing to back down.

The drama began when Musk took a swipe at Trump, claiming that he was "named in the Epstein files," referring to the documents related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein's alleged accomplices. The news sent shockwaves through the Twitterverse, with many questioning what this meant for Trump's reputation and his friendship with Epstein, who died in prison in 2019 after being convicted of sex trafficking.

Kimmel on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Thursday

Not one to miss an opportunity, the late-night hosts pounced on the feud like vultures on a carcass. Jimmy Fallon, host of The Tonight Show, couldn't resist taking a jab at Trump's car choices, saying, "You can tell Trump is really mad at Elon because earlier today he was seen driving a Prius... It's orange vs. white, it's like watching a creamsicle attack itself."

Stephen Colbert, host of The Late Show on CBS, took a more sarcastic approach, poking fun at the friendship between Musk and Trump. "So now Donald Trump is a Tesla owner who hates Elon Musk? He's never been more relatable," he quipped during his 12-minute monologue.

Jimmy Kimmel, host of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC, couldn't resist getting in on the action either. "The real truth is that Musk is mad about the things that affect him, like cutting the electric vehicle tax credit, not using his company Starlink for air traffic control, and that they pulled his friend's nomination for head of NASA," he said with a grin.

The Daily Show's Michael Kosta, filling in for Jon Stewart, also commented on the quarrel. He sarcastically opened the show with: 'America, tonight we are a nation at war'

Seth Meyers, host of Late Night on NBC, took a more serious tone, labeling the feud as "Trump's Big Beautiful bill" and saying, "Things have been bad for Elon, which is what happens to everyone who sells their soul to Trump."

The Daily Show's Michael Kosta, filling in for Jon Stewart, opened his show with a sarcastic remark: "America, tonight we are a nation at war." He continued, "I thought these two billionaires with the world's biggest egos would work it out amicably. Washington is a lot like high school, and not just because all the politicians are trying to date high-schoolers."

The late-night hosts had a field day, making jokes about everything from Trump's car choices to Musk's ego and the supposed "Epstein files" that allegedly linked Trump to the convicted pedophile.

It served as easy ammo for hosts, who man a format that is struggling

In a bizarre twist, Colbert even attempted to mimic Musk's accent, while mocking Trump's connection to Epstein. "Donald Trump, was a sexual predator that preyed on young women, which is something I've only decided to tell you because he hurt my feelings," he said in a mock-Tesla CEO tone. "I am the hero of the story!"

Just when it seemed like things couldn't get any juicier, a White House official revealed that Trump and Musk were scheduled to speak in person on Friday, potentially putting an end to the drama.

However, with numbers showing that late-night TV is on the decline, it seems like the hosts are desperate to cling to their 15 minutes of fame. According to recent ratings, Greg Gutfeld's Fox alternative has been attracting the largest average nightly audience, a far cry from what we've seen in the past decade.

This 1997 photo shows then real estate developer Trump (right) alongside Jeffrey Epstein (left), the pedophile sex offender who died in prison in 2019

As the Twitterverse continues to simmer with this juicy drama, one thing is clear: Trump and Musk may have started out as friends, but it seems like their friendship has officially come to an end. The question on everyone's mind now is: will they be able to put their differences aside and bury the hatchet? Only time (and Twitter) will tell.

The Epstein Files: What's in Them?

For those who may not know, Jeffrey Epstein was a financier who died in prison in 2019 after being convicted of sex trafficking. The Epstein files refer to documents related to his alleged accomplices and connections, which have been mostly kept classified due to ongoing investigations and lawsuits.

Trump and Musk's feud has raised questions about the contents of these files and whether they may contain damaging information for Trump. While neither party has confirmed what exactly is in the files, it seems like this mystery will continue to simmer until someone decides to spill the beans.

The Real Winner: The Late-Night Hosts

While the drama between Trump and Musk has been making headlines, one group of people has come out on top: the late-night hosts. With their witty remarks and clever jabs at the two billionaires, they've managed to keep their shows relevant in an era where ratings are plummeting.

From Fallon's Prius jokes to Colbert's mock-Tesla CEO accent, it's clear that these hosts have mastered the art of making headlines with ease. Who knows? Maybe this Twitter tussle will be the thing that saves late-night TV from itself.

The Verdict: Trump vs. Musk

In the end, it seems like Trump and Musk are at war – not just on social media but also in their personal lives. Whether or not they can put their differences aside remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: this Twitter tussle has been a wild ride.

Stay tuned for more updates as this drama continues to unfold!