Former U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed a breakdown in his once-close relationship with tech billionaire Elon Musk, following sharp criticism from the Tesla CEO over a massive tax and spending bill backed by the Trump administration.
Trump, who has often praised Musk in the past, expressed deep disappointment over the mogul’s public denunciation of the legislation describing it as a betrayal that may permanently damage their friendship.
The controversial bill, recently passed by the House of Representatives, includes trillions in tax breaks, a significant boost to defense spending, and an increase in the federal borrowing ceiling. Experts estimate it will add approximately $600 billion to the U.S. federal deficit in the upcoming fiscal year.
Elon Musk, never shy about his opinions, had earlier slammed the bill on his X (formerly Twitter) platform, calling it a “disgusting abomination” and warning that it would burden future generations with reckless debt.
Trump: “I Don’t Know What Happened to Elon”
In a candid moment from the Oval Office, Trump addressed reporters on Thursday, expressing his surprise at Musk’s criticism.
“Look, Elon and I had a great relationship. I don’t know if we will anymore. I was surprised,” Trump said.
He went on to claim that Musk was fully aware of the contents of the bill and had even been briefed on its development:
“I’m very disappointed, because Elon knew the inner workings of this bill better than almost anybody sitting here. All of a sudden, he had a problem.”
Trump’s remarks appeared to suggest that Musk’s opposition came out of nowhere, hinting at a political or personal motivation rather than a principled objection to the legislation itself.
Musk Responds Swiftly: “False.”
Not one to back down, Musk fired back on his platform X within minutes, directly refuting Trump’s claims.
“The idea that I had prior access to the bill or was involved in its drafting is completely false,” Musk posted, making it clear he wanted no association with the spending package.
He reiterated his position that the bill prioritizes wasteful spending and entrenches government inefficiencies while placing an unsustainable financial burden on American taxpayers.
A Friendship in Crisis?
The public fallout between Trump and Musk marks a sharp departure from their previously amicable rapport. Musk, who has historically maintained a pragmatic relationship with political leaders across the spectrum, has collaborated with various U.S. administrations on matters related to innovation, space exploration, and clean energy.
Trump, on the other hand, has frequently spoken of Musk in favorable terms, once calling him “one of the great minds of our time.”
But with rising political tensions and high-stakes legislation dominating headlines, even high-profile alliances appear increasingly fragile.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: a once-promising friendship between two of the world’s most powerful and outspoken figures now hangs in the balance.
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