President Donald Trump has expressed disappointment with SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk over his public criticism of the ‘big, beautiful bill,’ a massive tax and spending measure that Trump asserts includes cuts to electric vehicle (EV) tax credits. Trump claimed that Musk, who had previously been involved in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), only began opposing the bill after learning about the provision that would reduce EV incentives. The president emphasized that Musk had full knowledge of the bill’s contents and therefore his recent criticism was disingenuous.
Trump’s comments come amid a broader debate over fiscal responsibility, with Musk arguing that the bill is ‘disgusting’ and full of ‘pork’—undesirable spending provisions. The disagreement underscores the political rift between Trump and Musk, who has been vocal about the need to cut government waste, despite the Trump administration’s stance on the bill. The administration maintains that Musk’s stance does not affect Trump’s position, as the president remains committed to the measure, which he describes as the ‘biggest cut in the history of our country.’
Musk, who has been critical of the bill since its passage by the House in May, has accused lawmakers of including excessive spending provisions that undermine the work of DOGE, a government initiative he co-founded to cut $2 trillion in federal spending. Musk’s post on X, the former Twitter platform, called the bill an ‘abomination’ and criticized the inclusion of ‘disgusting pork.’ He has also denied being shown the full bill, despite Trump’s claims that Musk had prior access to it.
Meanwhile, the White House has clarified that Trump is aware of Musk’s position on the bill and that it has not swayed his administration’s approach. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that the president’s opinion remains unchanged, emphasizing the bill’s significance as a ‘big, beautiful’ piece of legislation. The situation highlights the growing tension between Trump and Musk, with the former accusing the latter of shifting his stance after learning about specific provisions, while Musk maintains his criticism is rooted in a commitment to fiscal conservatism and reducing unnecessary government spending.
Analysts suggest that the controversy could have implications for the stock market, particularly for Tesla, which relies on EV tax credits to maintain profitability. Musk’s criticism of the bill may affect investor sentiment, especially as the administration seeks to finalize the measure. The dispute also reflects a broader ideological divide between private sector leaders like Musk and political figures who prioritize budgetary control and fiscal discipline. With the bill’s provisions potentially impacting industries like automotive, the financial stakes for both sides remain high as the debate over its future continues.