Elon Musk urges release of Epstein files weeks after Trump accusations
Elon Musk has renewed calls to release the unredacted Jeffrey Epstein files, weeks after accusing Donald Trump of being in them.
After the president reignited the pair’s rift earlier this week, the tech billionaire issued a one-word reply to MAGA activist Scott Presler on X on Thursday, who wrote: “Release the unredacted Epstein files.”
“Yes,” Musk responded, without explicitly mentioning Trump.
The demand came just hours before the House was expected to vote on the president’s showpiece tax bill, which Musk claims will push the U.S. into “debt slavery.”
Musk began calling for the release of the remaining investigative documents related to Epstein’s sex-trafficking case after his explosive fallout with Trump last month over the president’s “pork-filled” signature megabill.
After promising to release the “first phase” of declassified Epstein files on February 27, Attorney General Pam Bondi faced MAGA backlash when the documents turned out to contain information already publicly available.
The Tesla CEO claimed, without evidence, that the “real reason” the documents remained sealed was that the president was somehow connected to the disgraced financier’s crimes.
“Time to drop the really big bomb,” Musk tweeted on June 5. “@realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!”
He followed up shortly after: “Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out.”
While Trump and Epstein were friends for decades before their fall-out in the early 2000s, the president has denied any knowledge of Epstein’s abuse.
About six days later, Musk said he regretted some of the posts about Trump, claiming they “went too far.”
On Monday, Trump rekindled his feud with Musk, threatening to unleash the Department of Government Efficiency – the government slashing force Musk once ran – against him and warning he may have to “go back to South Africa.”
The veiled threat was in response to Musk escalating his anti-Republican rhetoric and his scathing criticism of the president’s “big, beautiful bill,” which House Republicans are hoping to send to Trump’s desk by their Independence Day deadline.
“Elon may get more subsidy than any human being in history, by far, and without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa,” Trump said.
“No more Rocket launches, Satellites, or Electric Car Production, and our Country would save a FORTUNE. Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard, look at this? BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!”
The current version of the president’s bill could make electric vehicle ownership more expensive by eliminating consumer tax credits for new EVs.
Trump said earlier this week that the Biden administration’s EV mandate is “ridiculous,” adding: “Electric cars are fine, but not everyone should be forced to own one.”
Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill star Michael Madsen dies aged 67
Prolific actor Michael Madsen, known for starring in numerous Quentin Tarantino movies, has died. He was 67.
Madsen, whose career spanned more than 40 years, died Thursday morning from a cardiac arrest, his manager, Ron Smith, said.
According to TMZ, authorities found the Kill Bill and Reservoir Dogs actor unresponsive at his Malibu home. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
A representative for the actor told the tabloid that over the last two years, Madsen had “been doing some incredible work with independent film, including upcoming feature films Resurrection Road, Concessions and Cookbook for Southern Housewives, and was really looking forward to this next chapter in his life.”
His team additionally said that he was preparing to release a new book titled Tears For My Father: Outlaw Thoughts and Poems.
The Independent has contacted Madsen’s representatives for further comment.
Madsen was born September 25, 1957, in Chicago, Illinois, to Elaine, a filmmaker and author, and Calvin, a World War II Navy veteran and firefighter. His two sisters, Virginia and Cheryl, are also actors. In fact, the former is best known for her Oscar-nominated role in Alexander Payne’s 2004 romcom Sideways.
During his decades-long career, Madsen amassed more than 70 film and TV credits. His breakthrough came in Tarantino’s directorial debut, Reservoir Dogs, in which he starred as the sadistic criminal Mr. Blonde, who tortured a policeman by slicing off his ear.
That marked the beginning of a long and storied collaboration between Madsen and Tarantino, despite pushback from now-disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.
“Harvey never liked me,” Madsen told The Independent in 2020. “I don’t know if he ever liked anybody, but I know for a fact he didn’t like me. He never wanted me in any of Quentin’s movies. I think I’m only in them because Quentin stood up for me every single time and said I’m going to use Michael whether you like it or not.”
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Madsen went on to portray villains and anti-heroes in several of Tarantino’s other cult classics, including Kill Bill: Volumes 1 and 2 (2003–2004), The Hateful Eight (2015), and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019).
His other notable acting credits include 1991’s Thelma & Louise, 1996’s Mulholland Falls, 1997’s Donnie Brasco, and 2005’s Sin City.
“The type of character I think I play really well is somebody who’s not perfect, who’s a little rough around the edges not out of a GQ magazine, and might have a cigarette now and then or need a shave,” he added in his interview with The Independent, “but you can bet your ass I’m gonna do the right thing. That’s the real Michael more than anything, and I just wish it was captured on film.”
He was preceded in death by his 26-year-old son, Hudson, who died by suicide in 2022. In 2024, he filed for divorce from his wife of 28 years, DeAnna Madsen, alleging that her “neglect, drinking, and alcoholism” contributed to their son’s death.
Madsen and DeAnna shared two other sons, Calvin, 27, and Luke, 18. He also had sons, Christian, 34, and Max, 30, from his previous marriage to actor Jeannine Bisignano.
Deputy head of Russian Navy killed in Ukrainian attack on Kursk
The deputy head of the Russian Navy been killed in Russia’s Kursk region, a Russian official confirmed on Thursday.
Major General Mikhail Gudkov, who also led a brigade fighting against Ukraine, had been killed alongside 10 other servicemen in a Ukrainian attack on a command post, unofficial military Telegram channels reported earlier.
The news of the death comes after Ukraine summoned the acting US envoy to Kyiv to warn the Trump administration that any “delay or procrastination” in supplying the war-hit nation with weapons will only benefit Russia.
The US has blocked a number of planned shipments to Ukraine that included Patriot air defence missiles and precision-guided artillery, warning that its own domestic stockpiles were running low but said that “robust” options for Kyiv were still lined up.
Ukraine has complained that this pause in military aid has allowed Russian forces to advance further inside Ukrainian territory.
Russian forces have penetrated up to 7km (4 miles) into the northern Sumy region from different directions along the border and the war’s largest battle is being waged in Donetsk as Russia inches toward its stated goal of capturing all of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
How Ukraine can cope with the US pause on crucial battlefield weapons
How Ukraine can cope with the US pause on crucial battlefield weapons
Trump and Putin speak after Pentagon stops Ukraine missile shipments
Trump and Putin speak after Pentagon stops Ukraine missile shipments
Russia focusing airstrikes on Ukraine draft offices to derail recruitment, Kyiv says
Russia killed two people in an airstrike on the central Ukrainian city of Poltava on Thursday and damaged a military draft office there in what Kyiv said was a concerted campaign to disrupt recruitment for its war effort.
The strike on Poltava, which also injured 47 people and caused a fire at the city’s main draft office, followed a drone attack on Monday near a recruitment centre in Kryvyi Rih. Both cities are regional capitals.
“We understand that their (Russian) goal is to disrupt the mobilisation process,” Vitaliy Sarantsev, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s ground forces, told Ukraine’s public broadcaster.
“But I want to say that…it is too early (for Russia) to uncork the champagne because the process is impossible to stop.”
Watch: Russia preparing for new operation in European territories, Zelensky warns
If the US doesn’t give Ukraine what it needs it would be a big setback for Ukraine, EU and NATO, Denmark says
If the United States decides not to provide Ukraine with what is needed it would be a serious setback for Ukraine, the EU and NATO, Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Thursday.
Her comments come as Volodymyr Zelensky visits Denmark for meetings with Ms Frederiksen and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, as Denmark begins its six-month European Union presidency.
Earlier, Ms Frederiksen said that Ukraine joining the EU was in the interest of Europe.
Therefore, the Danish Presidency will do everything we can to help Ukraine on its path towards EU membership,” she said in a statement.
Zelensky meets with Danish king
Volodymyr Zelensky has met with Denmark’s King Frederik, alongside the country’s prime minister Mette Frederiksen.
Zelensky is in Denmark for meetings with the prime minister and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.
Zelensky says he hopes to speak with Trump about weapons supply soon
Volodymyr Zelensky said he hopes to talk to Donald Trump either on Friday or in coming days about the abrupt halt of some US weapons supplies to Ukraine.
Asked about the upcoming call between the US president and Vladimir Putin, Zelensky said Ukraine remains ready for a leaders meeting to end the war.
After Trump and Putin talk, Zelensky expected to call US President
Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump are expected to talk on Friday, according to reports, and discuss the sudden halt in some US weapons deliveries to Kyiv.
Zelensky is expected to raise potential future arms sales, the Financial Times reported, adding that the timing of the call could change.
The US has paused some shipments of critical weapons to Ukraine due to low stockpiles, sources earlier told Reuters.
That decision led to Ukraine calling in the acting US envoy to Kyiv on Wednesday to underline the importance of military aid from Washington continuing, and caution that the move would weaken Ukraine’s ability to defend against intensifying Russian airstrikes and battlefield advances.
The Pentagon’s move led in part to a cut in deliveries of Patriot air defence missiles that Ukraine relies on to destroy fast-moving ballistic missiles, Reuters reported on Wednesday.
Putin and Trump call comes after Russian call with Macron
Today’s expected call between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump comes after the Russian president spoke with French president Emmanuel Macron earlier this week.
Tuesday’s “substantial” phone call, in which the pair discussed the Iran-Israel conflict and Ukraine, was the first discussion between Mr Macron and Putin since September 2022.
Mr Macron’s office said the call lasted two hours and that the French leader had called for a ceasefire in Ukraine and the start of negotiations on ending the conflict.
The French president’s office said: “the president emphasised France’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
In pictures: Putin tours exhibition ahead of Trump call
In pool photographs distributed by a Russian state agency, Vladimir Putin toured an exhibition of Russian Brands held by the Agency for Strategic Initiatives autonomous non-profit organisation in Moscow on Thursday.
Spain beat Portugal 5-0 at Euro 2025 as tributes paid to Jota
Spain defeated Portugal 5-0 as the world champions made an impressive start to Euro 2025, in what was a highly emotional occasion for the Portuguese team following the death of men’s international and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota.
Jota was killed in a car crash with his brother Andre Silva in the early hours of Thursday morning, with the football world and beyond in mourning. A poignant moment’s silence was held before kick-off while players from both teams wore black armbands and the Portugal fans chanted Jota’s name in appreciation.
But Spain went ahead inside just two minutes through Esther Gonzalez were four up at half-time after goals from Vicky Lopez, Alexia Putellas and a second from Gonzalez. Aitana Bonmati was only named among the substitutes but returned to the pitch late on after she was in hospital before the tournament with viral meningitis.
Elsewhere in Group B, Italy secured their first win at the tournament since 2017 by beating Belgium 1-0 thanks to Arianna Caruso’s goal. The hosts Switzerland were beaten by Norway in their first match last night, while England have to wait until Saturday for their opening game against France in Zurich. Follow all the latest from Euro 2025 below
GOAL! Spain 5-0 Portugal
A fifth for Spain right at the end! Cristina Martín-Prieto powers in a header with the final touch of the game, sealing a stylish win for the world champions. Alexia Putellas is named the player of the match.
Spain 4-0 Portugal
Aitana Bonmati is back! The Ballon d’Or winner replaces Vicky Lopez for the final 15 minutes or so, less than a week after she was in hospital.
The attendance is read out as 29,520, breaking a Women’s European Championship record for a group-stage match not involving a host nation.
Spain 4-0 Portugal
73 mins: Portugal have not had a chance all match but Ana Capeta rolls a lovely nutmeg through the legs of Olga Carmona and draw some whoops from the crowd.
Spain 4-0 Portugal
60 mins: Spain are very much on cruise control now. It will be interesting to see if Aitana Bonmati is ready to play some minutes from the bench, or if Montse Tome decides to rest her completely ahead of their second game against Belgium.
Spain 4-0 Portugal
52 mins: Portugal appeal for a penalty as the Spain goalkeeper Nanclares comes for a cross but wipes out Pinto, leaving the Portugal defender requiring some treatment.
Half time: Spain 4-0 Portugal
Before kick-off there was a beautifully observed moment of silence in Bern, which was broken by ripples of applause that turn into a poignant gesture of appreciation by the crowd. A black and white picture of Diogo Jota was on display at both ends of the ground. The Portugal fans chant Jota’s name as the match began, with fans holding up letters spelling out “Rest in peace, Diogo Jota” in Portuguese.
HALF TIME! Spain 4-0 Portugal
A difficult half on a dark day for Portugal, but Spain have been very professional. The world champions have raised the bar at Euro 2025 and there are very few teams, perhaps none, who are probably capable of matching it f they play like this in all six games. There’s been the usual dominance and control but also danger and so much threat.
4-0 at the break.
GOAAAAL! Spain 4-0 Portugal
And four! A touch of fortune on this one as Claudia Pina’s clipped cross from the byline hits the post and then goes in off Esther Gonzalez, who gets her second of the game from a yard or two out.
Supreme from Spain. More frantic discussions unfold among the Portugal defence.
GOOOAL! Spain 3-0 Portugal
It’s three, and that’s the pick of the bench so far from Alexia Putellas! Injured on the eve of the Euros three years ago, the two-time Ballon d’Or winner makes her mark on Euro 2025.
After making her way into the box, she sits down a Portugal defender by cutting onto her left foot and firing a left-footed finish past the goalkeeper. Another sign that Alexia is back at her best after a couple of difficult of years with injuries.
Spain 2-0 Portugal
33 mins: Mariona Caldentey has played a couple of gorgeous passes in the last couple of minutes. Interestingly she’s being played on the right in this Spain team, rather than the midfield position that shone so brightly in for Arsenal this season.
Mystery over ‘unusually large’ Roman shoes unearthed
Archaeologists have been left baffled after unearthing “unusually large” 2,000-year-old Roman shoes in Northumberland.
Eight shoes at least 30cm (11.8in) long – the equivalent of a UK size 13 to 14 – were discovered at Magna Roman Fort earlier this year.
Archaeologist Rachel Frame said the leather shoes had all been found in a defensive ditch, which the Romans also used as rubbish dumps.
“We have to assume it’s something to do with the people living here, having bigger feet, being potentially taller, but we don’t know,” she told the BBC.
“Are the people living there from a specific region? Could that be why their shoes are so much larger? But at the moment, it’s sort of, well – this is unusual.”
Due to low oxygen conditions in the soil at the sites, the leather shoes have been preserved for centuries, according to Dr Frame.
Dr Elizabeth Greene, associate professor at the University of Western Ontario and Vindolanda’s shoe specialist, has seen and measured every shoe found at the site.
She said: “I think there is something very different going on here at Magna. Even from this small sample uncovered, it is clear that these shoes are much larger on average than most.”
Last year, a section of one of Britain’s most important Roman roads was unearthed in south-east London in a “remarkable” archaeological discovery.
The 2,000-year-old road, known as Watling Street, ran from the Roman port at Dover through London to the West Midlands.
The 276-mile route was built shortly after the Roman invasion of Britain in AD 43 and was used by visiting emperors, including Hadrian in AD 122 when he ordered the building of his wall separating England and Scotland.
Archaeologist Gillian King said the discovery had redrawn the Roman road map in the capital. She added: “It is a key finding for archaeological research for London.”
The section of road revealed lies to the south of the junction of Old Kent Road and Ilderton Road and was well-preserved, measuring about 19ft (5.8m) wide by almost 5ft (1.4m) high.
Southwark Council said distinct layers can be seen, and that the road shows a solid foundation of compacted gravel that was sealed with two layers of chalk before being topped with another layer of compacted sand and gravel.
It added that the original surface of the road would probably have been made from the same material and would have sat at a similar level to the modern road, but that over time this had been lost.
The London portion of Watling Street was rediscovered during Christopher Wren’s rebuilding of St Mary-le-Bow in 1671 to 1673, following the Great Fire of London in 1666.
How to host a Macmillan Coffee Morning like you’ve never seen before
What comes to mind when you think of a fundraising coffee morning? Soggy digestives, weak tea and sitting in a school hall having forced fun? Think again.
Macmillan Cancer Support are celebrating 35 years of the iconic Coffee Morning fundraiser, and we’re here to help you give your next Coffee Morning a glow-up. Behind the fun, Coffee Mornings help raise vital funds for people facing one of the toughest challenges of their lives.
Almost one in two people in the UK will get cancer in their lifetime, and no two experiences are the same. Where you live, who you are, or whether you have another health condition can all affect the care you receive – and that’s not fair. Macmillan is working to change that, doing whatever it takes to make sure everyone gets the best possible care, whoever and wherever they are.
So while tasty treats and fundraising fun of course get to stay, we’re leveling up the atmosphere with fresh ideas to keep everyone entertained.
Want to be a Coffee Morning Host?
Best of all, these new ways of raising vital funds don’t have to be expensive. In fact, they might even save you a bit of time, wardrobe space and money. Here’s how to host a Macmillan Coffee Morning like you’ve never seen before…
Organise a ‘style swap shop’
Clear out your wardrobe, raise money and bring your community together all at the same time by organising a ‘style swap shop’ – with all your finest, unworn or unwanted clothes and accessories.
Pack up the majestic hats you bought for a wedding but only wore once, the satin gloves that make you feel like Audrey Hepburn but don’t go with anything you own, or maybe that lace vintage dress your aunty wore to Glastonbury in the 70s, which now lives in an unexplored drawer in your bedroom.
Fill up a bag with your best cast-offs and get your friends, family and neighbours to do the same. Everyone pays £5 entry to the ‘style swap shop’ and then you all get to browse through each other’s preloved treasures – grabbing what takes your fancy.
One person’s hand-me-down is another person’s new look – so elbows at the ready! Want to raise extra cash? Add a £1-£2 price tag on each item that’s been donated.
Strut your stuff at a cake walk
We know that staying healthy and being physically active can reduce the risk of cancer, so why not combine the classic Coffee Morning with a walk around the block? Creative costumes, silly hats and streamers at the ready as we leave behind the school hall and instead take our cakes and cookies for a little jaunt to stretch our legs.
Up the fun, and the stakes, by upgrading from a cake walk to a cake race – the bigger and messier the dessert, the better! And get the kids involved in the baking and racing too.
Or if you want to keep it indoors, turn your catwalk into a cake walk and give your best strut with your favourite pudding in hand. It’s giving egg and spoon race, jelly wobbling on a plate and doubling over with laughter as you sashay along clutching a platter filled with your finest roulade.
Dance away the morning at a sober rave
Why sit or stand when you can dance? Sober raves are all the rage – and ideal for a morning of fun with friends, family and neighbours. There’s no hangover, no late night and the kids can join in too – so, no need for a babysitter.
Grab your glow sticks for a Coffee Morning like no other, and you can still eat cake and have a brew or a cold drink. It’s a club night where nobody has to worry about the morning-after-the-night-before! You can host it in any hall, all you need is music and a disco ball.
You might feel silly at first, but soon you’ll be grinning with joy as dancing is proven to release endorphins (natural painkillers and mood boosters) as well as reducing stress and keeping you fit. Now, who does a good Big fish, little fish, cardboard box?
Run an Is it cake? competition
If you haven’t seen the Netflix hit Is it cake? – an American game show-style cooking competition, you’re missing a treat. Contestants compete to both identify and recreate their best version of everyday items – in cake form.
That could be fire hoses made from vanilla sponge and icing, kitchen utensils that cut open to reveal red velvet cake, replica designer handbags that are actually edible, and even other food items such as burgers, which are of course, cake.
Up the baking ante by running your own cake lookalike competition inspired by the show. The best thing about it is that even if your cake looks like a pair of stinky old sports shoes, it’ll still taste great!
Whether you’re swapping styles, raving sober or sculpting a sponge handbag, every slice of fun helps Macmillan Cancer Support do whatever it takes to help everyone living with cancer.
Signing up to host your own Macmillan Coffee Morning this year couldn’t be easier! Find out more today on the Macmillan website
Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland.
Could Trump pardon Diddy?
Since Sean “Diddy” Combs was found guilty on two federal charges, the question of whether President Donald Trump could pardon him has resurfaced.
Diddy, 55, was acquitted Wednesday of the most serious federal charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, but was convicted on two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution.
Trump is no stranger to pardoning rappers or reality TV stars. In the final days of his first term, Trump granted pardons for rappers Lil Wayne and Kodak Black: Wayne for federal weapons charges and Kodak for similar firearm-related offenses.
In May 2025, Trump continued this trend by pardoning NBA YoungBoy, who had faced federal weapons violations, and commuting the sentence of Larry Hoover, a former gang leader whose case had long drawn attention from artists like Kanye West and Drake.
Trump also granted full pardons to Todd and Julie Chrisley, stars of the reality TV show Chrisley Knows Best, in May 2025 after their convictions on fraud and tax evasion.
He previously pardoned Angela Stanton-King, a former cast member of BET’s From the Bottom Up, in 2020. Stanton-King had served time for her role in a stolen car ring and later became a political activist.
Could Trump pardon Diddy?
The short answer is yes: Trump could pardon Diddy.
The president has the authority to pardon anyone he chooses for federal crimes and offenses against the United States.
However, pardoning Diddy would be controversial based on the alleged sexual assaults involved in this case.
What has Trump said about pardoning Diddy?
Trump didn’t rule out pardoning Diddy during a White House press briefing on May 30, though he did note that no one from Diddy’s camp has formally reached out to explore that process.
“I would certainly look at the facts,” Trump responded to a reporter who asked the question. “If I think somebody was mistreated – whether they like me or don’t like me, it wouldn’t have any impact.”
“I haven’t seen him. I haven’t spoken to him in years,” Trump continued. “He used to really like me a lot, but I think when I ran for politics, that relationship busted up, from what I read.”
“You know, it’s different. You become a much different person when you run for politics, and you do what’s right,” the president said. “I could do other things, and I’m sure he’d like me, and I’m sure other people would like me, but it wouldn’t be as good for our country.”
Suge Knight thinks it could happen
Suge Knight, Diddy’s longtime music mogul rival, told NewsNation’s Chris Cuomo in a phone call from prison in May that he feels Diddy has some “influence” that could affect the case outcome.
“I think he’s got some favors with the government,” Knight said of Diddy.
“I think they’re gonna show him a little leeway. It might not seem like it when it’s all said and done, but I don’t think he has nothing to worry about, and I don’t think he’s worried because he’s gonna be federal, and if he gets convicted, Trump’s gonna pardon him,” Knight added.
50 Cent will reach out to Trump about not pardoning Diddy
In a since-deleted Instagram post on June 5, captured by Rolling Stone, rapper 50 Cent posted old clips of Diddy condemning Trump.
“[Diddy] said some really bad things about Trump, it’s not ok. I’m gonna reach out so he knows how I feel about this guy,” 50 Cent captioned the post.
“Donald doesn’t take well to disrespect, and doesn’t forget who chooses to go against him. While working tirelessly to make America great again there is no room for distraction. He would consider pardoning anyone who was being mistreated not Puffy Daddy,” the “In Da Club” rapper continued.
Tony Buzbee: ‘No chance in hell Trump pardons Diddy’
In June, Houston-based attorney Tony Buzbee, who is representing dozens of people with civil suits against Diddy for alleged sex crimes, said he does not think the president would pardon the “Bad Boyyz For Life” rapper.
“I don’t think there’s any chance in hell that Donald J. Trump pardons P. Diddy,” Buzbee told Vulture. “He may have been sending it up the flagpole to see what the reaction was, and obviously it was a huge reaction and TMZ went nuts and everybody else went nuts, but I don’t ever see that happening.”
Tesla sales slump once again as Musk pays price for Trump ties
Tesla saw its sales fall to a three-year low as the electric car maker continues to suffer from Elon Musk’s political views.
Customer deliveries fell by 14 per cent in the second quarter of the year, marking one of the company’s biggest ever year-over-year declines.
Analysts have attributed the drop in demand for Tesla vehicles to Mr Musk’s allegiance to US President Donald Trump, which has seen the company’s share price drop by more than a quarter since he took office.
There have been dozens of protests at Tesla dealerships in the US over Mr Musk’s association with the Trump administration, while the tech billionaire’s backing of far-right politicians in Europe has also prompted boycotts of the brand.
“Tesla continues to face persistent headwinds in key markets, particularly in China and Europe, where sales have softened due to intensifying competition and growing concerns over brand reputation,” Liz Lee, an associate director at Counterpoint Research, told The Independent.
“In parts of Europe, the political backlash associated with Elon Musk has further dampened demand, prompting localised boycotts.”
Tesla’s CyberTruck, often referred to as the ‘MagaMobile’ due to the type of customers it typically attracts, recorded roughly 5,000 sales between April and June, despite the automaker planning for a production capacity of over 250,000 units per year.
The Tesla boss has seen his relationship with Mr Trump turn sour in recent weeks, having stepped down from his role at the White House and criticised the US president’s “big beautiful bill”.
Mr Musk described the legislation last month as a “disgusting abomination” for adding to the growing US deficit, while also cutting incentives for electric cars.
The feud between the two continued this week, with Mr Trump claiming that Mr Musk has received more government subsidies “than any human being in history”. He also hinted that Tesla and Mr Musk’s other companies should be reviewed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Tesla’s closest rival, the Chinese car manufacturer BYD, saw its sales hit a new high in June.
A regulatory filing posted to the Hong Kong stock exchange on Wednesday revealed that BYD’s electric vehicle sales have already topped 1 million in 2025.
Tesla, which outsold BYD as recently as last year, has only managed 720,803 sales in the first six months of the year.