White House Intervenes in Trump-Musk Dispute
US President Donald Trump was reportedly urged by White House aides to ease tensions and refrain from further escalating his public dispute with Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The conflict, which intensified over a recent tax and spending bill, prompted aides to suggest Trump concentrate on promoting the so-called "Big Beautiful Bill" instead.
Steps Taken to De-Escalate Tensions
The advisers persuaded President Trump to reduce aggressive commentary on his social media platform, Truth Social. They also arranged for a phone call between Trump and Musk to take place the following day, aiming to establish dialogue and potentially mend the fissure.
When briefly contacted about the situation, Trump acknowledged the ongoing exchanges commenting, "Oh it’s okay. It’s going very well, never done better."
The 'Big Beautiful Bill' Focus
White House officials emphasized that instead of engaging in personal confrontations, Trump’s energy should be directed toward advocating the legislative package known as the “Big Beautiful Bill” (BBB), which centers on tax cuts and spending policies.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt downplayed Musk’s criticisms of the bill, noting that the Tesla CEO has the right to voice his company's stance as a businessman. She stated, "Elon went back to his companies. As a businessman, he has a right to speak for his companies, but as president, President Trump has a responsibility to fight for this country."
Background and Escalation of the Musk-Trump Feud
Previously, Musk maintained a cordial relationship with Trump, even serving briefly as a special government employee before departing last week amid warm farewells. The relationship fractured over Musk's public opposition to Trump’s tax and spending legislation.
In response to Trump expressing disappointment at Musk's criticisms, Musk labeled the bill a "big, ugly spending bill" via his social media account X (formerly Twitter). He further engaged his audience with a poll asking whether it was time to form a new political party representing the majority middle class, receiving over 2.1 million votes with nearly 82% in favor.
Escalation and Reactions
Following Musk's social media activity, Trump threatened to cancel Musk’s government contracts, accusing him of going “CRAZY.” Musk countered by predicting the tariffs promoted by Trump would trigger a recession and also referenced controversial claims involving Jeffrey Epstein, further intensifying the dispute.
Trump later remarked, "I don’t mind Elon turning against me, but he should have done so months ago."
Summary
- The White House advised Trump to reduce public conflict with Musk and focus on the Big Beautiful Bill.
- Musk criticized the legislation, igniting a public feud with Trump.
- The tension prompted White House aides to facilitate a phone call between the two leaders.
- Looming threats of contract cancellations and political disagreements continue to highlight the dispute.
