U.S. President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk have entered into a public spat that intensified after Musk criticized the Republicans' new large-scale tax and spending bill.
The conflict erupted after Elon Musk, who until recently was an unofficial advisor to the Trump administration, publicly called the proposed bill "disgusting garbage," "pork-filled," and "a disgrace." Musk claims that this law will significantly increase the budget deficit and impose an unbearable burden on American citizens.
In response, Donald Trump expressed "great disappointment" in Elon Musk. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump stated that he "helped Elon a lot" and that their relationship was "wonderful," but now he is unsure if it will remain that way. Trump suggested that Musk was upset about cuts to electric vehicle subsidies included in the bill, which could affect Tesla's business.
Musk, in turn, rejected Trump's accusations, stating that the bill was "never shown to him" and that it was passed "in the middle of the night" so quickly that "almost no one in Congress was able to read it." Moreover, Elon Musk made a loud statement on X (formerly Twitter), claiming that "without me, Trump would have lost the election, the Democrats would control the House of Representatives, and the Republicans would have had 51-49 in the Senate." He added: "Such ingratitude."
This public quarrel between two influential figures raises questions about the future dynamics of their relationship and could impact support for key legislative initiatives from Trump.
