WASHINGTON — The volatile relationship between President Donald Trump and tech magnate Elon Musk erupted into a full-scale feud Thursday, as both men exchanged insults and threats on their competing social media platforms over a contentious Republican spending bill.
The dispute began after Musk launched a blistering critique of Trump’s legislative centerpiece — a sweeping tax and spending package dubbed the “big, beautiful bill” — on his social media platform X. Trump, speaking during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, accused the Tesla CEO of betrayal and hinted that the U.S. government might reevaluate its financial ties with Musk’s companies.
“I’m very disappointed in Elon,” Trump said from the Oval Office. “I’ve helped Elon a lot. He knew the bill inside and out.”
The bill, currently under Senate consideration, includes provisions that would eliminate subsidies critical to Musk’s electric vehicle company, Tesla, as part of broader federal spending cuts. In retaliation, Musk escalated his public criticism, accusing Trump of hypocrisy and suggesting the president’s name appeared in documents tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — a claim the White House has not addressed.
The clash marks a stunning reversal in a once-close alliance. Musk, the world’s richest man, donated over $250 million to Trump’s 2024 campaign and was appointed to head the Department of Government Efficiency following Trump’s reelection. The department, known as DOGE, implemented aggressive federal workforce reductions and interagency audits under Musk’s leadership — actions Trump hailed as revolutionary.
But tensions began to rise as Trump shifted his focus to a costly fiscal agenda. Musk, who left the administration just last week, cited ballooning deficit concerns and what he called wasteful subsidies embedded in the GOP bill.
“I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly,” Musk told CBS in his final interview as a government official. “It increases the budget deficit and undermines DOGE’s work.”
The Congressional Budget Office on Wednesday projected the proposed legislation would add $2.4 trillion to the national debt over the next decade — a figure fueling Musk’s opposition.
Tesla, the leading U.S. electric vehicle manufacturer, has seen its sales decline amid intensifying competition and political fallout linked to Musk’s public stances. Since departing the White House, Musk has returned full-time to overseeing Tesla and SpaceX, both of which hold substantial federal contracts. However, Tesla’s stock has fallen over 20% this year, with analysts citing regulatory uncertainties and investor discomfort with Musk’s political entanglements.
Trump, defending the bill, said Musk was motivated by financial self-interest. “Elon’s upset because we removed the EV mandate. It was billions in subsidies for electric vehicles, and they’re struggling,” the president said. “He knew this from the start.”
On X, Musk dismissed Trump’s criticism with a curt “whatever,” before launching into a flurry of posts. “Without me, Trump would have lost the election,” he wrote. “Such ingratitude.”
The feud intensified later Thursday as Trump responded on Truth Social, accusing Musk of a breakdown after being asked to resign. “Elon went crazy after I asked him to leave,” Trump posted, also hinting at the possibility of canceling federal contracts with Musk’s companies.
Musk countered by implying Trump was referenced in the so-called “Epstein files,” referring to a batch of documents related to investigations into Jeffrey Epstein. While Trump and Epstein were known to have socialized in the past, there have been no credible allegations linking the president to Epstein’s crimes. Trump has repeatedly denied any involvement.
The White House declined to comment on Musk’s accusation.
The public unraveling of their relationship stands in stark contrast to the praise Trump lavished on Musk just days ago. On Musk’s final day in government, Trump had said, “Elon’s service to America has been without comparison in modern history.” He added that Musk would continue to play an advisory role, saying, “It’s his baby, and I think he’ll still be doing a lot.”
Now, with both men locked in a deeply personal and politically consequential dispute, the future of their alliance — and of Trump’s high-stakes economic agenda — hangs in the balance.
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