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Thursday, June 05, 2025

Elon Musk And Donald Trump: The Feud

The Tesla Of Political Parties

 


As of June 5, 2025, tensions between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk have escalated into a public feud, primarily over disagreements regarding Trump's signature tax and spending bill. Here’s a summary of key developments reported today:

  • Public Criticism: The rift exploded into public view, with Trump expressing that he was "very disappointed" and "surprised" by Musk's criticisms of the Republican-backed budget bill, often referred to as the "big, beautiful bill." Trump suggested Musk's opposition stemmed from the removal of electric vehicle (EV) tax credits and mandates, which could impact Tesla, stating, “Elon’s upset because we took the EV mandate, which was a lot of money for electric vehicles and they’re having a hard time.”
  • Musk's Response: Elon Musk fired back on X, accusing Trump of "ingratitude" and claiming, “Without me, Trump would have lost the election.” Musk has been vocal in his opposition, calling the bill a "disgusting abomination" and alleging it would increase the U.S. budget deficit by trillions, with estimates ranging from $2.4 trillion to $5 trillion over a decade, depending on the analysis and whether temporary tax cuts are extended.
  • Threats and Retorts: Trump suggested cutting billions in federal contracts and subsidies for Musk’s companies, such as SpaceX, stating on Truth Social, “The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts.” He also claimed he had asked Musk to leave the administration and called him “CRAZY” for his reaction to the EV mandate removal. Musk, in turn, escalated the feud by alleging without evidence that Trump’s name is in the unreleased Jeffrey Epstein files, a claim that has stirred controversy.
  • Context of the Rift: The two had previously shared a close relationship, with Musk spending over $270 million to support Trump and other Republicans in the 2024 election and serving as a key adviser and head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) until his term as a special government employee ended recently. However, Musk’s aggressive campaign against the bill, including posts on X urging followers to “KILL the BILL,” has strained ties.
  • Impact: Tesla shares dropped 14% on June 5 amid the spat, reflecting investor concerns. The feud has also complicated Trump’s legislative agenda, with Musk’s criticism emboldening some Republican senators like Rand Paul, Mike Lee, and Ron Johnson to demand deeper spending cuts. House Speaker Mike Johnson, however, noted he had texted Musk and planned to speak with him, calling him a “good friend.”
This public clash marks a significant break from their earlier alliance, with both sides trading sharp barbs in real time via social media and public statements. The situation remains fluid, with no clear resolution as of 3:19 PM CDT on June 5, 2025.





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