In an email exchange with CNBC on Tuesday, Musk accused President Joe Biden of ignoring his electric vehicle company in favor of paying more attention to legacy auto makers.
He sought to assure White House officials that he would not say something embarrassing if he were invited to speak at a White House event.
Musk said they have nothing to worry about.
CNBC contacted Musk after it was reported that Biden and the White House have no plans to invite Musk to upcoming meetings with corporate leaders. The people who spoke to CNBC did not want to be named in order to speak freely about private conversations.
The idea of a feud is not right. Musk said in the email that Biden ignoredTesla at every turn and lied to the public that GM leads the electric car industry.
In the fourth quarter, the company produced and delivered over 300,000 vehicles. The company sold 26 electric vehicles, including one Hummer pickup and 25 Bolt EV models.
The Chevrolet Bolt EV production halt was extended by GM until early April, but it plans to resume retail sales soon. The company plans to spend $35 billion on electric and self-driving vehicles by the year 2025.
For the first time in his presidency, Biden acknowledged the status of the nation's largest producer of electric vehicles.
Musk and the White House have been at odds since the start of the Biden administration as the president pushes for infrastructure reform and tries to encourage vehicle companies to go green.
GM CEO Mary Barra said the company wants to invest $7 billion into Michigan to further their EV manufacturing, standing next to Biden. Musk responded to the comments by saying, "Starts with a T, ends with an A, ESL in the middle."
It got to the point where no one in the administration could say the word "Tesla". The public outrage and media pressure forced him to admit that he made a mistake. Musk said in the email that he wouldn't call it that.
In an email to CNBC, a White House spokesman said thatTesla has done extraordinary things for electric vehicles and that is a big part of why the industry now knows EV are the future.
The White House representative said that Musk had suggested an opposition to new EV tax credits.
Musk has made fun of Biden. Once he said Biden was still sleeping, it was like the same thing as when Trump said "Sleepy Joe".
According to people with knowledge of the situation, some in the administration have privately called Musk names, such as "a--hole", for what he has said about Biden.
Musk told CNBC on Tuesday that he has nothing against Biden, apart from his concern about more deficit spending, which would apply to any president.
The data from the Center for Responsive Politics shows that Musk contributed over $30,000 to the Democratic National Committee during the 2012 election cycle, when former President Barack Obama and then Vice President Biden were fighting Romney for reelection. He gave $2,500 to Obama's campaign.
Musk didn't give to Biden's campaign when he ran for president. He supported Andrew Yang, a businessman and Democratic candidate. He made a contribution to the Republican National Committee.
According to Forbes, Musk has a net worth of over $200 billion.
According to people familiar with the matter, Biden and senior White House officials have told their allies that they have no plans to invite Musk to any upcoming meetings. The people were not named in order to speak freely about their private conversations.
Musk berated the president on his social media accounts, including as recently as late January, after Biden met with GM and Ford CEOs to discuss the president's "build back better" initiative. Musk referred to Biden as a "damp sock puppet in human form".
When asked by CNBC about Musk's absence, Brian Deese, Biden's top economic advisor, said that they wanted the United States to be the place where the electric vehicle revolution began. We're creating more good jobs in America by gaining more of the global export share. That isn't about any one company.
More than half a dozen people familiar with the matter say that the president and his team are not happy with Musk's criticism.
According to a person familiar with the discussions, Biden's advisors have privately pushed back against inviting Musk to future industry events, as they are concerned the outspoken executive will say something that could hurt the president or the administration.
Musk replied to the question with an email that featured two laughing emojis. He said the White House shouldn't worry about him doing crazy things.
A person close to the president told CNBC that there was a push to bring Musk to the table to discuss the president's $1 trillion infrastructure package since the executive had founded a tunnel-digging firm called the Boring Company.
Some in the White House believe that only unionized car companies, such as GM and Ford, should be meeting with Biden and senior administration officials.
The White House disagreed with the characterization.
Ali Zaidi has met every automaker at least once. Every worker in every state must have a free and fair choice to join a union and bargain collectively with their employer, according to a spokesman for President Biden.
Musk has taken on the United Auto Workers union through his account. Biden was endorsed by the UAW during the election.
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