Former allies President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk are now locked in a public feud following Musk’s sharp criticism of Trump’s expansive new spending bill. The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which passed the House by a narrow margin, aims to extend Trump-era tax cuts, increase military and border security spending, and scale back funding for assistance programs such as Medicaid and SNAP.
Speaking from the White House on Thursday alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump addressed the growing tension.
“Elon and I had a great relationship,” Trump said. “I don’t know if we will anymore.”
@newsnationnow “Elon and I had a great relationship. … I don’t know if we will anymore”: President Donald #Trump said he was “very disappointed” in #ElonMusk for his harsh criticism of Trump’s “big, beautiful” bill, but could “understand why he’s upset.”
Musk Fires Back on X
Musk, who has become increasingly vocal on X (formerly Twitter), responded in real time to Trump’s remarks and the bill’s content. He alleged that without his support, Trump would not have won the 2024 election.
Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 5, 2025
“Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate,” Musk posted, calling Trump’s behavior “such ingratitude.”
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Musk, who reportedly spent more than $270 million supporting Republican candidates in the last election cycle, has said the bill’s projected $3 trillion cost contradicts fiscal responsibility.
Trump Responds on Truth Social
Trump answered Musk’s critiques on his own platform, claiming that Musk’s frustration stemmed from the bill eliminating tax incentives for electric vehicles.
“Elon was ‘wearing thin.’ I asked him to leave,” Trump posted. “I took away his EV Mandate… and he just went CRAZY!”
Trump also suggested ending SpaceX and Tesla’s government contracts as a cost-saving measure.
Behind-the-Scenes Friction
Sources close to the White House say that as of Thursday morning, Trump and Musk had not spoken directly. Attempts by administration officials to contact Musk’s team have gone unanswered.
Musk had previously lobbied lawmakers to keep EV tax credits in the bill, raising questions about his sudden public opposition.
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“He knew everything about it,” Trump said. “Now, suddenly, it’s a problem.”
Musk refuted that claim, writing, “False, this bill was never shown to me… almost no one in Congress could even read it!”
False, this bill was never shown to me even once and was passed in the dead of night so fast that almost no one in Congress could even read it! https://t.co/V4ztekqd4g
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 5, 2025
Musk Escalates Online Attacks
As the political clash intensified, Musk launched a series of scathing posts on X, suggesting deeper tensions and more serious allegations.
“Time to drop the really big bomb,” Musk wrote. “@realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!”
Time to drop the really big bomb:@realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public.
Have a nice day, DJT!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 5, 2025
In another post, Musk responded to Trump’s threats to cancel federal contracts by announcing that SpaceX would begin dismantling its Dragon spacecraft fleet:
“In light of the President’s statement about cancellation of my government contracts, @SpaceX will begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately,” he said.
In light of the President’s statement about cancellation of my government contracts, @SpaceX will begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately pic.twitter.com/NG9sijjkgW
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 5, 2025
In response to a user who tweeted, “President vs Elon. Who wins? My money’s on Elon. Trump should be impeached and JD Vance should replace him,” Musk simply replied, “Yes.”
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 5, 2025
Musk also warned that Trump’s tariff policies could tip the U.S. economy into a downturn, tweeting:
“The Trump tariffs will cause a recession in the second half of this year.”
The Trump tariffs will cause a recession in the second half of this year https://t.co/rbBC11iynE
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 5, 2025
Fan Reactions: Divided Loyalties
Online responses to the feud were swift and polarizing.
Those who have skeptical of the collaboration between Musk and Trump in the beginning of this administration wasted no time conveying their elation to the situation. “THE GIRLIES ARE FINALLY FIGHTING!!!!!!” one user wrote. “Their breakup is just as spectacular as I knew it’d be.”
THE GIRLIES ARE FINALLY FIGHTING!!!!!! https://t.co/qNGiH0b2vq
— hasanabi (@hasanthehun) June 5, 2025
Their breakup is just as spectacular as I knew it’d be pic.twitter.com/WMQA1G0oVz
— j aubrey 🤠 (@jaubreyYT) June 5, 2025
Others praised Musk for holding the administration accountable. “I fully agree with Elon. I simply hope this doesn’t create long term damage between Elon and Trump.” another tweet read.
Still, some observers couldn’t help but laugh at the very public unraveling of what was once a high-profile alliance. “It’s like watching the finale of a messy reality show,” one user posted.
I fully agree with Elon. I simply hope this doesn’t create long term damage between Elon and Trump. pic.twitter.com/JBqXewBCF1
— Wall Street Mav (@WallStreetMav) June 5, 2025
