Trump says that Elon Musk is upset over tax measures cuts to EV credits
President Donald Trump expressed his disappointment with SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, following Musk’s departure from leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk had been vocal in criticizing Trump’s tax and spending package, calling it a “disgusting abomination” due to its impact on the federal deficit.
During a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump addressed Musk’s criticism, stating that he would rather have Musk criticize him than the bill itself. Trump highlighted the significant tax cuts included in the bill, calling it the largest in the history of the country.
Trump suggested that Musk’s opposition to the bill was rooted in the elimination of an electric vehicle tax credit that benefited companies like Tesla. Trump emphasized that this provision had always been part of the bill and claimed that Musk had only developed an issue with it once the EV mandate was set to be cut.
In response to Trump’s comments, Musk took to X to urge for the removal of what he called “disgusting pork” in the bill. He disputed Trump’s claim that he had been briefed on the bill, stating that he was never shown it even once. Musk continued to criticize the bill, arguing that it undermined the work he had done with DOGE to cut government waste.
DOGE, initially tasked with slashing $2 trillion from the federal budget, aimed to reduce spending, government programs, and the federal workforce. Musk criticized the spending measure passed by the House in May, labeling it as a “massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill.”
The White House responded to Musk’s criticism by stating that Trump was aware of Musk’s position but remained steadfast in his support of the bill. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that the president’s opinion was unchanged and reiterated the bill’s significance.
In conclusion, the rift between Trump and Musk highlights the ongoing debate over government spending and fiscal responsibility. Musk’s departure from DOGE and his public criticism of the spending bill underscore the challenges of balancing economic interests and budgetary concerns.
