President Donald Trump expressed surprise and disappointment over Elon Musk’s recent criticism of the Big Beautiful Bill. During a meeting at the White House with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump reflected on their past relationship, saying, “I’ve always liked Elon. And so I was very surprised.” He noted that Musk had not previously criticized him directly.
The Big Beautiful Bill, a significant piece of legislation, has drawn scrutiny from Musk, particularly regarding its removal of electric vehicle tax credits. Trump mentioned that Musk was aware of the bill’s details from the start and had not raised any concerns until after leaving his advisory role. “I’m very disappointed in Elon. I’ve helped Elon a lot,” Trump remarked.
Musk’s comments included a call to eliminate what he described as “DISGUSTING PORK” from the bill while maintaining the cuts to electric vehicle and solar incentives. He stated, “In the entire history of civilization, there has never been legislation that both big and beautiful.” Musk also accused Trump of misleading him, claiming that the bill was never presented to him during his time as an advisor and was passed too quickly for thorough review.
In the midst of this controversy, Tesla, Musk’s electric vehicle company, reportedly spent $240,000 lobbying for the electric vehicle credits and other related issues. The tensions between Trump and Musk highlight the complexities of their relationship and the broader debates surrounding electric vehicle policies and government spending.