The political alliance between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk has unraveled in recent days, with both figures trading pointed remarks over a sweeping tax and spending bill. What began as a policy disagreement has turned into a personal and public feud between the president and the billionaire tech executive.
During a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the White House, Trump expressed frustration with Musk’s outspoken opposition to the legislation. “I’m very disappointed because Elon knew the inner workings of this bill,” Trump stated, referencing the electric vehicle incentives that were ultimately removed. “I’ve helped Elon a lot.”
Musk, who recently departed his role leading the Department of Government Efficiency, denied Trump’s characterization, claiming the bill was rushed through Congress without transparency. “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!” he posted on X.
The measure, which narrowly passed the House, includes extended tax cuts from 2017, increases in defense and immigration spending, and reductions to social programs such as Medicaid and SNAP. According to the Congressional Budget Office, it is projected to add $2.4 trillion to the national debt over the next decade.
The measure, which narrowly passed the House, includes extended tax cuts from 2017, increases in defense and immigration spending, and targeted reductions to Medicaid and SNAP benefits for undocumented immigrants. The bill summary states that the proposed cuts would bar individuals residing in the country illegally from accessing these federal assistance programs, such as free or subsidized health care and food aid. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the legislation would add $2.4 trillion to the national debt over the next decade.
As tensions mounted, Musk responded to Trump’s remarks online, claiming his political support was instrumental in 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,” he wrote. “Such ingratitude.”
Trump countered the claims on his social media platform, stating he had asked Musk to leave the administration. He suggested that Musk “went crazy” after being dismissed and implied that federal support for Musk’s companies could be withdrawn. “The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts,” Trump posted. “I was always surprised that Biden didn’t do it.”
The dispute has also created ripples within the Republican Party. House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized Musk’s recent reversal, whereas other lawmakers, including Senators Rand Paul and Mike Lee, expressed support for the entrepreneur’s concerns over federal spending.
As the bill moves to the Senate with a July 4 deadline, the once-strong partnership between Trump and Musk appears fractured beyond repair.
