Key Points Summary – Trump Fires Back At Musk
- Trump says his friendship with Musk may be over
- Musk slammed Republicans’ spending bill on X
- Trump hints Musk is angry over EV cuts and NASA snub
- Billionaire says bill was passed in secret, without his knowledge
- Musk calls GOP bill full of “disgusting pork”
- Trump claims Musk previously praised him
- Public and political reaction fuels growing rift
Musk’s Criticism Sets Trump Off
Donald Trump hinted on Thursday that his bromance with Elon Musk might be done for good. Musk had launched a flurry of social media attacks against the Republicans’ massive new spending bill. His posts resurfaced old Trump tweets criticizing debt hikes and demanding balanced budgets.
As Trump met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office, reporters asked if he’d seen Musk’s latest online jabs. The president didn’t hold back.
“Elon and I had a great relationship,” Trump said. “I don’t know if we will anymore. I was surprised.”
The Real Reason? EVs And NASA Picks
Trump believes Musk’s sudden fury has little to do with policy. Instead, he claims it’s personal.
“He’s upset because we took the EV mandate,” Trump said, referring to the rollback of electric vehicle subsidies that had benefited Tesla. Trump also pulled the plug on Jared Isaacman’s nomination to head NASA. Isaacman is a Musk ally from SpaceX.
“We won. We get certain privileges,” Trump continued. “And one of those is we don’t have to appoint a Democrat.”
Musk Hits Back In Real-Time
As Trump answered questions, Musk was already firing back. “Whatever,” he posted on X, followed by a fiery list of grievances. He slammed the bill for cutting clean energy incentives while keeping oil and gas subsidies.
“Ditch the MOUNTAIN of DISGUSTING PORK,” Musk wrote.
He mocked the GOP’s claim that the bill was “big and beautiful.”
“Everyone knows this!” Musk posted. “Either you get a big and ugly bill or a slim and beautiful bill.”
Trump Doubles Down
Trump defended the bill, claiming Musk knew what was in it before it passed the House. He said Musk had been involved, even calling him more informed than most lawmakers.
“He knew every aspect,” Trump insisted. “Never had a problem with it until he left.”
But Musk wasn’t having it. He reposted Trump’s comments and flatly denied them. “False,” he wrote. “This bill was never shown to me.”
Social Media Turns Up The Heat
The war of words exploded across social media. Musk pinned an old Trump tweet from 2013: “I cannot believe the Republicans are extending the debt ceiling—I am a Republican & I am embarrassed!” He labeled it “Wise words.”
The irony wasn’t lost on observers. Less than a week earlier, Musk had stood beside Trump in the Oval Office, receiving a send-off for his work as a special government advisor.
From Hug To Humiliation
Trump reminded reporters of that moment. “He said the most beautiful things about me,” Trump claimed.
He added that Musk hadn’t directly attacked him yet. “But I’m sure that will be next.”
Trump said he’s disappointed in Musk. “I’ve helped Elon a lot.”
Fallout And Outlook
Trump suggested Musk’s frustrations might stem from no longer being in the spotlight. “All of a sudden he wasn’t in this beautiful office,” Trump said.
He even recalled joking with Musk about his bruised eye at the Oval farewell. “Do you want a little makeup?” he asked. Musk declined. “He wants to be who he is.”
This feud is far from over. With Republicans pushing the bill to the Senate, and Musk’s X feed blazing with rage, the political storm has only begun. Allies are picking sides. Critics are pouncing. The bromance may be over, but the drama is just heating up.
