It has become a war of words between President Donald Trump and former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) head Elon Musk.
Trump responded to Musk’s recent criticism of the “big, beautiful, bill” and how it increases the federal deficit Thursday. Trump said he was “very disappointed” with Musk.
“I’ve always liked Elon … you saw the words he had for me, and he hasn’t said anything about me… I’d rather have him criticize me than the bill, because the bill is incredible,” Trump said as he was meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, per Fox News. “It’s the biggest cut in the history of our country.”
“I’m very disappointed in Elon. I’ve helped Elon a lot,” the president added.
Watch the video below:
Trump believes Musk dislikes the bill because it does away with an electric vehicle tax credit, which would benefit Musk’s Tesla.
“I’m very disappointed, because Elon knew the inner workings of this bill better than almost anybody sitting here better than you people,” Trump said. “He 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 we’re going to have to cut the EV mandate, because that’s billions and billions of dollars, and it really is unfair.”
Musk was quick to respond to Trump’s words with, “Whatever.”
“Keep 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,” Musk wrote on X. “In the entire history of civilization, there has never been legislation that both big and beautiful. Everyone knows this!”
“Either you get a big and ugly bill or a slim and beautiful bill. Slim and beautiful is the way,” he added.
Musk also posted about knowing about the bill.
“False, 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!” he wrote.
Musk even went so far as to write Trump was not grateful for Musk’s help in getting elected.
“Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate,” Musk wrote.
“Such ingratitude,” he added.
Trump had a different take, commenting on Musk’s help in Pennsylvania and the EV tax credit.
“He worked hard and he did a good job. And I’ll be honest, I think he misses the place.”
Musk continued posting about Trump throughout Thursday afternoon.
