Trump, Elon Musk Clash Gets Messier
A simmering dispute between President Donald Trump and Billionaire businessman, Elon Musk may soon burst as tensions flared following Trump's expression of deep disappointment in Musk.
A simmering dispute between President Donald Trump and Billionaire businessman, Elon Musk may soon burst as tensions flared following Trump's expression of deep disappointment in Musk.
Musk, had criticized the president’s massive tax and immigration reform bill.
On Thursday, Trump said he was “very disappointed” in Musk for his recent criticism of the bill.
“Look, Elon and I had a great relationship. I don’t know if we will anymore,” Trump said, expressing frustration.
Musk quickly fired back on social media, where he has been strongly criticizing the bill and Trump. He even responded to a user by claiming, “Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate.” He added, “Such ingratitude.”
Musk spent over $270 million supporting Trump and other Republicans during the last election cycle. Despite that, the two had not spoken as of Thursday morning, according to people familiar with the situation. Attempts by the administration to reach Musk have gone unanswered.
Trump addressed the issue during a joint press appearance with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office. When asked about Musk’s attacks on the bill, Trump said, “He hasn’t said anything about me that’s bad. I’d rather have him criticize me than the bill, because the bill is incredible.”
The legislation in question, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” passed the House by just one vote. It includes extensions of Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, increased funding for the military and border security, and reductions to social programs like Medicaid and SNAP. However, it is expected to face difficulties in the Senate.
Musk opposes the bill, saying it would add $3 trillion to the national deficit over the next decade. He believes it goes against the goal of reducing government spending and debt. He also reposted old Trump tweets about cutting deficits, asking, “Where is this guy today??”
Trump responded by saying Musk is upset because the bill removes tax credits for electric vehicles. “But I’m very disappointed because Elon knew the inner workings of this bill better than almost anybody sitting here, better than you people,” Trump said. “He knew everything about it. He had no problem with it. All of a sudden, he had a problem.”
Before his public criticism, Musk had reportedly asked lawmakers like House Speaker Mike Johnson to keep the electric vehicle incentives in the bill.
But Musk denied Trump’s claims. On X, he wrote, “False, this bill was never shown to me even once and was passed in the dead of night so fast that almost no one in Congress could even read it!”
He followed up with a short “Whatever,” and then added: “Keep the EV/solar incentive cuts in the bill, even though no oil & gas subsidies are touched (very unfair!!), but ditch the MOUNTAIN of DISGUSTING PORK in the bill.”
Musk mocked Trump’s defense of the bill, writing: “In the entire history of civilization, there has never been legislation that's both big and beautiful. Everyone knows this! Either you get a big and ugly bill or a slim and beautiful bill. Slim and beautiful is the way.”
Interestingly, a Tesla vehicle that Trump bought to show his support for Musk remains parked at the White House, according to sources.
The White House had no comment, and Musk’s team has not responded to requests for a statement.
On Thursday, Trump said he was “very disappointed” in Musk for his recent criticism of the bill.
“Look, Elon and I had a great relationship. I don’t know if we will anymore,” Trump said, expressing frustration.
Musk quickly fired back on social media, where he has been strongly criticizing the bill and Trump. He even responded to a user by claiming, “Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate.” He added, “Such ingratitude.”
Musk spent over $270 million supporting Trump and other Republicans during the last election cycle. Despite that, the two had not spoken as of Thursday morning, according to people familiar with the situation. Attempts by the administration to reach Musk have gone unanswered.
Trump addressed the issue during a joint press appearance with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office. When asked about Musk’s attacks on the bill, Trump said, “He hasn’t said anything about me that’s bad. I’d rather have him criticize me than the bill, because the bill is incredible.”
The legislation in question, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” passed the House by just one vote. It includes extensions of Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, increased funding for the military and border security, and reductions to social programs like Medicaid and SNAP. However, it is expected to face difficulties in the Senate.
Musk opposes the bill, saying it would add $3 trillion to the national deficit over the next decade. He believes it goes against the goal of reducing government spending and debt. He also reposted old Trump tweets about cutting deficits, asking, “Where is this guy today??”
Trump responded by saying Musk is upset because the bill removes tax credits for electric vehicles. “But I’m very disappointed because Elon knew the inner workings of this bill better than almost anybody sitting here, better than you people,” Trump said. “He knew everything about it. He had no problem with it. All of a sudden, he had a problem.”
Before his public criticism, Musk had reportedly asked lawmakers like House Speaker Mike Johnson to keep the electric vehicle incentives in the bill.
But Musk denied Trump’s claims. On X, he wrote, “False, this bill was never shown to me even once and was passed in the dead of night so fast that almost no one in Congress could even read it!”
He followed up with a short “Whatever,” and then added: “Keep the EV/solar incentive cuts in the bill, even though no oil & gas subsidies are touched (very unfair!!), but ditch the MOUNTAIN of DISGUSTING PORK in the bill.”
Musk mocked Trump’s defense of the bill, writing: “In the entire history of civilization, there has never been legislation that's both big and beautiful. Everyone knows this! Either you get a big and ugly bill or a slim and beautiful bill. Slim and beautiful is the way.”
Interestingly, a Tesla vehicle that Trump bought to show his support for Musk remains parked at the White House, according to sources.
The White House had no comment, and Musk’s team has not responded to requests for a statement.
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