Tensions flared on Tuesday between Elon Musk and Donald Trump as the billionaire criticized the president’s flagship economic legislation. This marked significant break just days after Trump left a contentious position in the White House.
Musk received praise from the Republican leader as he stepped down from his position at the helm of Trump’s “Department of Government Efficiency” last week, even amid backlash regarding his inability to fulfill commitments to implement significant spending reductions.
Musk expressed his disdain for the Congressional spending bill on X, describing it as a “massive, outrageous, pork-filled” piece of legislation and labeling it a “disgusting abomination.” These comments mark his most critical stance regarding Trump’s agenda to date.
“Criticism is directed at those who cast their votes in favor: it is clear that a misstep has occurred.”
Musk has previously weighed in on Trump’s proposed “big, beautiful bill,” which is projected to increase US deficits by $3 trillion over the next decade, even as it entails significant reductions to health and food assistance programs.
Musk’s earlier critique was notably measured. The Tesla and SpaceX leader suggested that it hindered his initiatives to reduce expenses.
On Tuesday, he stated that the bill currently under consideration by Congress would impose “crushingly unsustainable debt” on citizens.
The recent post highlights the growing friction between the White House and Musk, who has contributed nearly $300 million to Trump’s 2024 election campaign.
Reports indicate that Musk has grown disillusioned, as his aspirations for White House initiatives that would serve his interests have not come to fruition.
The legislation under scrutiny reduces the electric vehicle tax credit, posing challenges for Tesla. Meanwhile, Axios has revealed that Musk faced setbacks in his attempts to prolong his involvement beyond the legally mandated 130-day period.
According to Axios, he also encountered setbacks in his efforts to implement the Starlink satellite system for air traffic control. He expressed frustration over Trump’s decision to withdraw the nomination of Musk ally Jared Isaacman for the position of NASA chief.
In a surprising shift, Trump has tempered his usual combative style, recognizing the significant sway his primary supporter holds over a demographic that includes young, tech-savvy individuals who have traditionally shown little interest in politics. This group is poised to be crucial for Trump’s campaign in 2024.
In a swift reaction to Elon Musk’s tweet, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “The president is already aware of Elon Musk’s position on this bill; it does not alter his viewpoint,” addressing reporters with clarity.
The conflict arose as House Republicans prepared to advance legislation originating from the White House. The legislation aimed at codifying $9.4 billion in cuts to DOGE, primarily affecting funding for public broadcasting and foreign aid.
House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed disappointment in Musk’s remarks, noting that he had reviewed the bill with the entrepreneur on Monday and that Musk appeared to grasp the details.
The growing burden of debt
As the world’s wealthiest individual stepped down from his position as Trump’s chief cost-cutter, their relationship seemed stable, with the Republican praising his fellow billionaire’s “incredible service.”
Trump asserted that Musk was “really not leaving” following a tumultuous four-month period during which the South African-born entrepreneur eliminated tens of thousands of jobs, closed entire agencies, and reduced foreign aid.
DOGE embarked on a fervent campaign within the federal government as its youthful “tech bros” executed significant job cuts, impacting tens of thousands of positions.
However, the accomplishments did not come close to Musk’s initial claim that he could generate savings of $2 trillion, a figure exceeding the total discretionary spending budget set by the government for 2024.
The DOGE website asserts that it has saved taxpayers a mere fraction of the total, amounting to just $180 billion. However, fact-checkers have raised concerns about the credibility of this claim, citing past discrepancies in its financial reporting.
On Tuesday, Senate Democrats unveiled a report detailing 130 instances of what they describe as “unethical or potentially corrupt” actions taken by the administration. These actions, they claim, have enabled Elon Musk to evade regulatory scrutiny and increase his wealth by $100 billion.
As senators embark on what is anticipated to be a challenging month of negotiations regarding Trump’s extensive policy package, the report highlights the potential for an increase in deficits ranging from $2.5 trillion to $3.1 trillion over the next ten years.
On Monday, Trump declared it to be “the single biggest Spending Cut in History” while also emphasizing, “The only ‘cutting’ we will do is for Waste, Fraud, and Abuse.”
