Donald Trump appeared initially to take the high road amid former adviser Elon Musk’s accusation that the president’s name is in the Epstein files and amid criticism of Trump’s tax bill.

Musk’s post follows a slew of others in which he criticized Trump and his “big, beautiful bill,” saying the legislation will beset the nation with crippling debt.

“I don’t mind Elon turning against me, but he should have done so months ago,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “This is one of the Greatest Bills ever presented to Congress. 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!”

Earlier, Musk accused Trump of being named in files regarding the late convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, writing, “Time to drop the really big bomb: @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!”

Trump previously shared on Truth Social that Musk is lashing out against Trump because the “big, beautiful bill” would end the electric vehicle tax credit, a boon for Tesla and other electric vehicle manufacturers.

TRUMP AND MUSK AT WAR: SIMMERING FEUD OVER TAX BILL AND EV MANDATES SPILLS OUT INTO OPEN

Trump also threatened to cut Musk’s government contracts.

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