PRESIDENT Donald Trump has admitted he’s “disappointed” in Elon Musk as he revealed why the tech billionaire is enraged by his “big beautiful bill.”
Musk has spent days criticizing the president’s signature spending legislation that’s currently making its way through Congress, and didn’t hold back after Trump opened up about their shaky relationship.
AFPDonald Trump opened up about his shaky relationship with Elon Musk as he answered questions with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz[/caption]
The Mega AgencyMusk had a friendly send-off after stepping down from the Department of Government Efficiency, but quickly turned against his former boss[/caption]
The president reminded reporters that Musk proudly wore a hat that said ‘Trump was right about everything’Reuters
Trump is standing by his plan, as he celebrated the bill’s “historic” $1.6 trillion in spending cuts when he was quizzed about it in the Oval Office on Thursday.
“We are doing things in that bill that are unbelievable,” the president said as he answered questions alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
When asked about Musk’s criticism, the president revealed that the two had been at odds ever since the tech leader stepped down as head of the Department of Government Efficiency.
He claimed the Tesla founder was outraged over Trump’s decision to step away from a national electric vehicle mandate.
Musk wanted the federal government to go all in on EVs because it would mean a windfall of money for his company, Trump claimed.
“You know they’re having a hard time, the electric vehicles,” he said.
“And they want us to pay billions of dollars in subsidies.”
While Trump celebrated his latest White House win, Musk unloaded his true thoughts on the legislation in a flurry of live posts on X.
“Whatever,” said the billionaire.
“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,” he wrote.
“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.”
‘ELON KNEW THIS’
The president said it was always his intention to relax the mandates, as he pushes to use America’s natural gas and oil supply to achieve energy independence.
“Elon knew this from the beginning. He knew this from a long time ago,” said Trump, who has touted his plan to “drill baby drill” for oil.
But Musk claimed that he never actually saw the bill and said it “passed in the dead of night so fast that almost no one in Congress could even read it.”
The president said that the duo once had a “great relationship,” but he doesn’t know exactly where they stand anymore.
“I was surprised […] We had a wonderful send off,” Trump said, referring to when Musk showed up to the Oval Office to get a symbolic key to the White House.
The Mega AgencyMusk gushed over Trump when he stepped away from his White House position[/caption]
He reminded reporters that Musk had proudly worn a hat with the words “Trump was right about everything” emblazoned on the front.
“And I am right about the great big beautiful bill,” the president said.
“He knew the inner workings of the bill better than anybody sitting here. 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 gonna have to cut the EV mandate because that’s billions and billions of dollars.”
In a searing reply, Musk said, “Without me, Trump would have lost the election.”
“Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate.
“Such ingratitude.”
Before Musk’s outburst, Trump said his ex-colleague “hasn’t said anything bad about me personally,” but quickly speculated, “I’m sure that’ll be next.”
“I’m very disappointed in Elon. I’ve helped Elon a lot,” he said.
AFPTrump bought a Tesla from Musk right in front of the White House in March[/caption]
GettyMusk turned the lawn into a makeshift dealership where the president could shop around[/caption]
ReutersA Tesla Cybertruck was proudly displayed outside[/caption]
TRUMP’S EV CUTS
In his spending bill, Trump proposed steep cuts to tax credits that were designed to incentivize consumers into buying EVs, NPR reported.
The shift came after President Joe Biden heavily pushed for regulations that effectively forced American car companies to build electric cars.
Car buyers previously could get up to $7,500 in tax breaks if they purchased an EV, but this would officially be phased out by 2026 under Trump’s plan.
Consumers also could get a credit worth up to $4,000 for buying a used EV under the Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act, but that’s set to be erased by the end of this year.
Trump’s legislation is calling for EV owners to pay a $250 annual fee imposed by the Federal Highway Administration.
This is meant to make up for the gas taxes paid out by the average consumer.
Before the spending bill was passed, Musk turned the White House lawn into a makeshift Tesla dealership so Trump could shop for cars.
The duo posed for pictures and checked out the interiors before the president decided to buy a flashy red Model S.
After Thursday’s tiff, Musk reposted a video from that day with the message, “Remember this?”
Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s complicated relationship
Former president Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s relationship started rocky, but the pair have since reconciled, with Musk fully endorsing Trump and interviewing him on X Spaces on August 12.
In 2022, Elon Musk and Donald Trump publicly feuded on X, then still known as Twitter.
Trump called Musk a liar and “bulls**t artist” during a rally in Alaska.
“Elon is not going to buy Twitter,” Trump said at the time.
“You know, he said the other day, ‘I’ve never voted for a Republican.’ I said, ‘I didn’t know that – you told me you voted for me. So he’s another bulls**t artist, but he’s not going to be buying it.”
In response to Trump’s critiques, the SpaceX founder clapped back.
“I don’t hate the man, but it’s time for Trump to hang up his hat & sail into the sunset,” Musk posted.
Musk also went on to buy X months later.
The X owner said he had previously voted mostly for Democrats since becoming a United States citizen in 2002.
Musk initially backed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to be the Republican Party’s presidential nominee.
“My preference for the 2024 presidency is someone sensible and centrist,” Musk wrote on X in 2022.
“I had hoped that would [be] the case for the Biden administration, but have been disappointed so far.”
His shift in political parties might be attributed to his plummeting relationship with President Joe Biden who didn’t invite Musk to the 2021 White House electric vehicle summit.
Despite their past issues, Trump and Musk’s relationship took a turn in March after they met at Mar-a-Lago.
Trump was also previously against electric vehicles but has since changed his stance.
“I’m for electric cars,” he said at a rally earlier this month.
“I have to be, because Elon endorsed me very strongly. So I have no choice.”
Following the assassination attempt at Trump’s rally in July, Musk announced his support for the former president.
“I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery,” Musk wrote on X after the shooting.
During a recent press conference, Trump spoke highly of Musk.
“I respect Elon a lot. He respects me,” he said.
“Elon, more than almost anybody I know, he loves this country. He loves the concept of this country, but like me, he says this country is in big trouble, it’s in tremendous danger.”
Musk has been pictured at events at Mar-a-Lago and the UFC, buddying up with Trump.
Trump selected Musk to lead the Department of Government Efficiency – a taskforce aimed at cutting bureaucracy.
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