Trump Says He’s “Done” with Elon Musk After EV Tax Credit Clash
President Donald Trump declared on Thursday that he’s finished dealing with Elon Musk, blaming the Tesla CEO’s public attacks on his tax bill as rooted in personal frustration. Speaking from the White House, Trump accused Musk of lashing out over the removal of electric vehicle tax credits and the administration’s rejection of his preferred NASA nominee, entrepreneur Jared Isaacman.
“Elon is upset because we removed the EV mandate, which meant billions in subsidies for electric vehicles,” Trump told reporters. “He knew it was coming—he knew a long time ago.” The president added, “They’re struggling with electric vehicles, and now they want the American people to foot the bill through more subsidies.”
Despite the criticism, Trump claimed he$ still had some personal respect for Musk. “I’ve always liked Elon. I’d rather have him criticize me than the bill, because the bill is incredible,” he said, referring to the legislation as his “One, Big, Beautiful Bill,” and brushing off Musk’s objections as politically motivated.
Musk Hits Back Online
Elon Musk didn’t stay silent. Within minutes, he posted a one-word response on X: “Whatever.” He then followed with a sharper critique of the bill:
“Keep the EV/solar incentive cuts in the bill—even though oil & gas subsidies remain untouched (very unfair!!)—but ditch the MOUNTAIN of DISGUSTING PORK,” Musk wrote.
He also mocked Trump’s description of the bill:
“In the history of civilization, there has never been legislation that is both big and beautiful. Everyone knows this. You either get a big and ugly bill or a slim and beautiful one. Slim and beautiful is the way.”
Pushing back against Trump’s claim that he knew the EV tax credits would be eliminated, Musk added: “False. This bill was never shown to me. It was passed in the dead of night—so fast, almost no one in Congress even had time to read it.”
“Without Me, Trump Would’ve Lost”
Musk’s criticism escalated further when he claimed credit for Trump’s political success. “Without me, Trump would have lost the election. Democrats would control the House. Republicans would be 51–49 in the Senate. Such ingratitude.”
His barrage came as Tesla’s stock dropped roughly 4% on Thursday, trimming gains from a 22% rally in May. The stock is now down more than 20% year-to-date, well below its $488.54 peak on December 18.
NASA Nominee Rejection Fueled Rift, Says Biographer
Walter Isaacson, Musk’s biographer, revealed that the feud may have deeper roots. According to Isaacson, Musk had pushed for Jared Isaacman to be appointed NASA administrator—an effort reportedly blocked by Trump allies.
“To Musk, that was infuriating,” Isaacson said. “They were going after Jared to get at Elon.” He called it a personal betrayal and a calculated move to curb Musk’s influence in Washington.
The public unraveling of the Trump–Musk relationship comes just months after Musk emerged as Trump’s largest campaign donor, contributing more than $250 million to his 2024 reelection effort and briefly serving in an advisory role.
