It has become a war of words between President Donald Trump and former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) head Elon Musk.
Trump responded to Muskās recent criticism of the ābig, beautiful, billā and how it increases the federal deficit Thursday. Trump said he was āvery disappointedā with Musk.
āIāve always liked Elon ⦠you saw the words he had for me, and he hasnāt said anything about me⦠Iād rather have him criticize me than the bill, because the bill is incredible,ā Trump said as he was meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, per Fox News. āItās the biggest cut in the history of our country.ā
āIām very disappointed in Elon. Iāve helped Elon a lot,ā the president added.
Watch the video below:
Trump believes Musk dislikes the bill because it does away withĀ an electric vehicle tax credit, which would benefit Muskās Tesla.
āIām very disappointed, because Elon knew the inner workings of this bill better than almost anybody sitting here better than you people,ā Trump said. āHe knew everything about it. He had no problem with it. All of a sudden he had a problem, and he only developed the problem when he found out that weāre going to have to cut the EV mandate, because thatās billions and billions of dollars, and it really is unfair.ā
Musk was quick to respond to Trumpās words with, āWhatever.ā
āKeep the EV/solar incentive cuts in the bill, even though no oil & gas subsidies are touched (very unfair!!), but ditch the MOUNTAIN of DISGUSTING PORK in the bill,ā Musk wrote on X. āIn the entire history of civilization, there has never been legislation that both big and beautiful. Everyone knows this!ā
āEither you get a big and ugly bill or a slim and beautiful bill. Slim and beautiful is the way,ā he added.
Musk also posted about knowing about the bill.
āFalse, 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!ā he wrote.
Musk even went so far as to write Trump was not grateful for Muskās help in getting elected.
āWithout me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate,ā Musk wrote.
āSuch ingratitude,ā he added.
Trump had a different take, commenting on Muskās help in Pennsylvania and the EV tax credit.
āHe worked hard and he did a good job. And Iāll be honest, I think he misses the place.ā
Musk continued posting about Trump throughout Thursday afternoon.
