President Trump expressed surprise on Thursday at Elon Musk’s harsh criticism of a major Republican bill that aligns with many of Trump’s domestic policy goals. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump indicated that he believed Musk was mistaken in his views and suggested that their relationship might be strained as a result.
Trump described their past relationship as strong, saying, "Elon and I had a great relationship. I don’t know if we will anymore." This statement came after Musk, who recently left his role in the Trump administration, labeled the proposed legislation a "disgusting abomination." Musk’s comments have been particularly pointed, as he has argued that the bill is filled with unnecessary spending, referring to it as "pork-filled."
The bill in question aims to advance several of Trump’s key domestic priorities, but it also includes cuts to subsidies for electric vehicles, which directly affects Musk’s company, Tesla. Trump speculated that Musk’s criticism might stem from this aspect of the bill and from the recent withdrawal of a NASA nominee, Jared Isaacman, whom Musk had recommended.
Musk quickly countered Trump’s claims, stating that he had never seen the bill before it was made public. The tension between the two figures highlights a significant shift, as Musk had previously been a strong supporter of Trump, even wearing a hat that proclaimed, "Trump was right about everything."
Trump defended the bill, arguing that it is "big and beautiful," while Musk countered, saying that historically, there are only two types of legislation: "big and ugly" or "slim and beautiful." He expressed that the latter is the ideal.
As the fallout continues, Trump noted that former aides often become critics after leaving his administration, suggesting that they miss the excitement of being in the White House. Musk, for his part, took to social media to assert that without him, Trump might not have won the election, indicating that he believes his influence was crucial to the Republican victory.
The dynamics between Trump and Musk will be closely watched as both figures navigate their respective roles in the political landscape ahead.