Musk and Trump Clash Over "Big, Beautiful Bill" Amid Growing Tensions

The feud between Tesla CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump reached new heights on Thursday as Musk publicly responded to Trump’s criticism of his stance on the "Big, Beautiful Bill," the massive tax and spending package championed by the president.

Musk’s comments, made on the social media platform X, suggested that without his support, Trump would have lost the 2024 election and Democrats would have taken control of Congress.

The public clash over the bill, which has now become a point of contention between the two former allies, is adding new layers of drama to an already tense political landscape.

Musk’s post on X, in which he claimed, “Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate. Such ingratitude,” was a sharp response to Trump’s remarks earlier in the day.

The billionaire tech mogul has become increasingly vocal about his opposition to the bill, calling it the "Big Ugly Bill" and advocating for a "Slim, Beautiful Bill" instead.

His remarks followed a week of growing tensions between the two, as Musk criticized the bill's provisions, particularly its cuts to electric vehicle (EV) incentives.

The rift between Trump and Musk began when Musk publicly opposed the president's "One Big Beautiful Bill." The bill, which includes tax cuts and major reforms to government spending, was designed to reduce the national deficit.

However, it also contained provisions that Musk and others in the electric vehicle industry saw as detrimental to the growth of sustainable energy, particularly cuts to EV tax incentives that have been crucial to the success of Tesla.

In a statement from the White House on Thursday, Trump expressed his "very disappointment" with Musk’s public criticism of the bill. Trump accused Musk of knowing about the provisions of the bill well in advance but only developing issues with it once the EV incentives were cut.

“I’m very disappointed because Elon knew the inner workings of this bill better than almost anybody sitting here, better than you people. He knew everything about it. He had no problem with it,” Trump said during a meeting with reporters.

“All of a sudden, he had a problem. And he only developed the problem when he found out that we're going to have to cut the EV mandate.”

Musk fired back on X, claiming that the bill had never been shown to him before it passed, and criticizing the speed at which it was pushed through Congress.

"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!" Musk wrote.

His opposition to the bill and his recent sharp words for the president highlight the growing divide between the two men, who had previously worked closely together on several initiatives during the Trump administration.

Musk’s public spat with Trump is particularly notable because of the level of support he had given to the president in the past. Throughout the 2024 election cycle, Musk was one of Trump’s largest financial backers, contributing approximately $250 million to support his campaign.

Musk had also played an advisory role in the Trump administration, heading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), where he worked to reduce government waste and streamline federal spending.

During his time in the administration, Musk was seen as an influential ally, with Trump often praising the billionaire’s business acumen and innovative ideas.

However, the relationship between Trump and Musk began to sour when Musk, after stepping down from his government position in late May 2025, increasingly spoke out against Trump’s policies, particularly the “Big Beautiful Bill.”

Musk’s criticism of the bill, especially in light of the significant support he had previously offered Trump, has raised questions about the future of their political alliance.

Musk’s move to publicly attack Trump and the administration’s signature piece of legislation has shocked many in the political world, especially those who viewed Musk as a key player in advancing Trump’s agenda.

Trump’s response to Musk’s criticism was both direct and forceful. In a post on Truth Social, Trump suggested that one of the easiest ways to save money in the federal budget would be to eliminate government contracts and subsidies for Musk’s companies, including Tesla and SpaceX.

“The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts,” Trump wrote. “I was always surprised that Biden didn’t do it!”

Musk, predictably, responded in his own inimitable fashion. In a follow-up post, Musk confirmed that, in light of Trump’s remarks about canceling his government contracts, SpaceX would begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately.

"In light of the President’s statement about cancellation of my government contracts, @SpaceX will begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately," Musk posted.

The Dragon spacecraft, which is used to carry both astronauts and cargo to the International Space Station, is a cornerstone of SpaceX’s operations, making Musk’s public announcement all the more significant.

Musk’s decision to escalate the conflict by bringing SpaceX into the debate and referencing his government contracts highlights the stakes of the feud. Musk’s businesses, particularly Tesla and SpaceX, have benefited immensely from government contracts and tax incentives.

By threatening to cancel these contracts, Trump is leveraging his authority to apply pressure on Musk, sending a clear message that defying the president’s policies could have serious consequences for Musk’s business empire.

Musk’s vocal opposition to Trump’s policies is not only a personal dispute but also an economic issue with significant implications for Tesla. Investors reacted swiftly to the feud, with Tesla’s stock taking a dramatic hit.

Shares of the company dropped by over 14% in a single day, marking the worst two-day performance for the stock since November 2021. This sharp decline is a reminder of the risks associated with Musk’s controversial public statements and the volatility of his leadership.

Tesla’s investors, who have long been accustomed to fluctuations in the stock price driven by Musk’s social media posts and public comments, are now facing a heightened sense of uncertainty.

While Tesla has enjoyed impressive growth over the past few years, the company is increasingly exposed to the whims of Musk’s public persona and his ability to navigate the complex political landscape.

With the ongoing feud between Musk and Trump, Tesla’s investors are left wondering how the rift will impact the company’s future.

Furthermore, the controversy surrounding the "Big, Beautiful Bill" has raised concerns about the future regulatory environment for electric vehicles.

Musk’s criticism of the bill, especially regarding the cuts to EV tax incentives, has created friction between him and the Republican Party. If Trump’s influence continues to shape policy on Capitol Hill, Tesla and other electric vehicle manufacturers could face a more challenging regulatory landscape in the years to come.

Musk’s criticism of Trump’s tariffs, which he claims could lead to a recession in the second half of the year, has added another layer of complexity to the ongoing dispute.

Musk has been vocal in his opposition to tariffs, arguing that they hurt consumers and raise prices on essential goods. His comments come at a time when many economists are already predicting a slowdown in the global economy, and Musk’s concerns about the potential for a recession only add to the uncertainty surrounding the market.

In his posts on X, Musk warned that the economic impact of Trump’s tariffs could be severe, particularly in the second half of the year. “The Trump tariffs will cause a recession in the second half of this year,” Musk wrote.

His warning about the economic consequences of trade policy is not new, as Musk has been a vocal critic of tariffs throughout his career. However, the timing of his remarks, coinciding with the ongoing dispute with Trump, makes his position on the issue particularly notable.

The rift between Trump and Musk is not just about a single piece of legislation; it is part of a larger political struggle over the future of America’s economy and energy policy.

Musk, a prominent figure in the tech world, has often found himself at odds with the political establishment, particularly when it comes to issues like government regulation and taxes.

His opposition to Trump’s policies reflects a broader tension between the business world and government, particularly when it comes to the question of how to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability.

Trump, on the other hand, has long championed policies aimed at reducing government spending and lowering taxes. His approach to economic policy has often been at odds with Musk’s more progressive stance on issues like climate change and renewable energy.

The clash between these two powerful figures highlights the broader ideological divide within the Republican Party and the business community, where differing views on government intervention and regulation continue to shape the political landscape.

The public feud between President Trump and Elon Musk has sparked significant debate and raised questions about the future of their relationship.

While both men have accomplished remarkable things in their respective fields, their differing views on policy have led to a breakdown in their once-close alliance.

The consequences of this fallout extend beyond their personal relationship and are having a tangible impact on the economy, with Tesla’s stock taking a major hit in the wake of Musk’s criticism of the "Big, Beautiful Bill."

Despite the tensions, it is possible that Musk and Trump could eventually reconcile. Both men have shown a willingness to work with others when it serves their interests, and their shared commitment to economic growth and innovation could eventually lead them back to the negotiating table.

However, for now, the rift remains deep, and the future of their relationship is uncertain. As the feud continues to unfold, the broader implications for Tesla and the political landscape will become clearer, and the fallout from this high-profile dispute will continue to shape American politics and business.