Trump, Musk Trade Barbs Amid Break Over Policy Bill

The relationship ruptured in real time online, spurred by disagreement over the deficit impact of Trumpโ€™s policy bill.

Simmering policy disagreements between President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk on June 4 devolved into open conflict after Trump criticized his former ally from the Oval Office.

After Musk ratcheted up his criticisms of Trumpโ€™s signature domestic policy bill, Trump told reporters on Thursday that he was disappointed with the Tesla CEO, alleging his attacks were driven by the billโ€™s rollback of clean energy tax credits.

Musk quickly shot back on his social media platform X, posting a flurry of responses and raising the prospect of abandoning the GOP entirely in favor of a new third party. Trump responded on his Truth Social platform, threatening to cancel government contracts with Muskโ€™s companies.

The conflict escalated rapidly online, with both leveling harsh criticism at the other.

The public rupture comes just days after Musk left the administration as a special adviser for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Trump and Musk had praised each other in an Oval Office event marking the occasion.

The once-close relationship between the two, which began in 2024 after Trump narrowly survived an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, had been strained in recent weeks by disagreements over the House-passed budget bill, called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

The Republican legislation would fund and implement Trumpโ€™s agenda but has been condemned by Musk and some other Republicans for its potential impact on the federal deficit.

A Public Breakup

After days of attempting to present a unified front despite their disagreements on the budget bill, Trump indicated growing frustrations with Musk during comments to reporters from the Oval Office.

The president expressed disappointment in Muskโ€™s criticisms of his key legislation. โ€œElon and I had a great relationship. I donโ€™t know if we will anymore,โ€ he said.

Musk immediately responded with a post on X, claiming that his campaigning for Trump turned the tide in the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania.

โ€œWithout me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate,โ€ Musk said, adding, โ€œSuch ingratitude.โ€

Musk poured $300 million into supporting Trump in the 2024 election.

Trump said that he had been blindsided by Muskโ€™s opposition to the GOP bill, telling reporters that Musk โ€œknew the inner workings of the bill better than anybody sitting here.โ€

Byย Jackson Richmanย andย Joseph Lord

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Columns

How a Chinese Government Statistician Was Forced to Report Fake Data

Chinese local govt employee produced a non-authorized report on bees and was visited by police and threatened with being sent to a mental hospital.

โ€˜This One Time, at Groomer Campโ€™

All Camp Brave Trails programs focus on helping LGBTQ+ youth find what they need most to thrive: their people, their place, and their passion.

Why Recognizing a Palestinian State Now Undermines U.S. Interestsย 

A recent American Conservativeย article suggests President Trump recognize a Palestinian state, but this would undermine the interests of the United States.

Harvardโ€™s China Ties Under Scrutiny as US Targets Student Visas

Following Trump adminโ€™s action to vet Chinese nationals studying in US for ties to the CCP, Harvard's involvement with Beijing has come to the fore.

The Russian-Ukrainian Talks Are At An Impasse That Only The US Or Brute Force Can Break

The second round of Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul resulted in no progress and talks are at an impasse that only the US or brute force can break.

News

Guatemalan Deportee Arrives in US After Judge Orders Trump Admin to Facilitate Return

โ€œAmericaโ€™s asylum system was never intended to be used as a de facto amnesty program or a catch-all, get-out-of-deportation-free card,โ€ McLaughlin said.

Trump-Musk Feud Escalates Over Spending Bill: 5 Things to Know

A public feud between Musk and Trump took a turn for the worse. Musk claimed president wouldnโ€™t have won without him and president suggested Muskโ€™s subsidies could be pulled.

Supreme Court Rules 9-0 Wisconsin Violated First Amendment by Denying Tax Exemption to Catholic Charity

Supreme Court ruled unanimously that WI violated the First Amendment by not granting Catholic charity an exemption from paying unemployment tax.

Appeals Court Rules San Diegoโ€™s Yoga Ban Is Unconstitutional

The city of San Diegoโ€™s ban on yoga classes in public parks and beaches was ruled unconstitutional by a federal appeals court.

Supreme Court Rejects Mexicoโ€™s Lawsuit Against Gun Companies

SCOTUS said gun companies should not face lawsuit in which Mexican govt was trying to hold them liable for cartel-related violence involving firearms from US.

FDA Not Recommending Newly Approved COVID-19 Vaccine: Official

FDA approved a new COVID-19 vaccine but is not recommending people receive it, the agencyโ€™s top vaccine officials said on June 4.

Self-Sufficiency Summits in Ohio Reflect Surging Interest in Homesteading

After an age of reliance on store-bought items, many Americans are returning to a self-sufficient lifestyle and growing and raising the food they consume.

Judge Requires Trump Admin to Provide Due Process for Deportees in El Salvador Prison

Boasberg ordered Trump admin to provide habeas relief for individuals it deported and are held in Salvadoran maximum security prison.
spot_img

Related Articles