Public Fallout Between Elon Musk and Donald Trump
The once-close relationship between former President Donald Trump and entrepreneur Elon Musk has deteriorated significantly following Musk's public opposition to Trump's recent tax and spending legislation. The bill, informally known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill," recently secured passage in the House of Representatives despite Musk’s vocal resistance.
Trump expressed his disappointment with Musk, stating, "Look, Elon and I had a great relationship. I don't know if we will any more." Musk had urged the public and lawmakers to "kill the bill," calling it an ill-conceived package less than a day before its approval.
Elon Musk’s Criticism and Resignation
Prior to the public dispute, Musk resigned from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), citing disagreements occurring behind closed doors. Subsequently, Musk used his social media platform X to denounce the tax bill vehemently, labeling it a "massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill" and a "disgusting abomination." Musk condemned the bill for its fiscal wastefulness and criticized those who supported it.
Trump’s Rebuttal and Musk’s Immediate Response
Trump responded by accusing Musk of duplicity, suggesting that Musk was fully aware of the bill's contents and initially had no objections. The former president specifically noted that Musk became critical only after learning about the proposed cuts to the electric vehicle mandate—measures that impact billions of dollars. Trump also recalled Musk’s previous praise but implied that negative comments about him might follow soon.
In response, Musk denied ever seeing the bill prior to passage and condemned the process as rushed—passed "in the dead of night" without adequate review by Congress.
Late-Night Legislative Drama
The bill’s passage was marked by intense debate and a narrow 215-214 vote margin after an overnight session in the House of Representatives. Despite opposition from Democrats and some Republican dissent, party leaders consolidated support for the multi-trillion-dollar tax breaks package, underscoring its priority status for Trump and his allies.
Impact on Tesla and Escalating Tensions
Following the bill's enactment, Tesla shares fell sharply by more than 8% due to the removal of tax incentives for electric vehicle manufacturers, directly affecting the company’s financial outlook.
The public feud intensified as Trump accused Musk of suffering from a "withdrawal syndrome" after leaving the White House advisory role, even coining the term "Trump derangement syndrome" to describe Musk's behavior.
Musk’s Retaliation: Claims of Ingratitude and Political Influence
Musk fired back at Trump, accusing him of "ingratitude" and asserting that his support was pivotal in securing Trump's election victory. Musk highlighted his substantial financial contributions to Trump's campaign, emphasizing his influence over the electoral outcome.
In a series of pointed social media posts, Musk mocked some of Trump’s past statements, including unfounded claims involving President Joe Biden. He also rebranded the controversial legislation as "The Big Ugly Bill," highlighting concerns over the projected $2.5 trillion increase in the national deficit.
The escalating exchange underscores the volatile dynamics between the tech magnate and the former president, once allies but now critics, battling over the direction of U.S. fiscal policy and political loyalty.
