US President Donald Trump has reaffirmed that Elon Musk is a ‘wonderful guy,’ despite the tech billionaire’s public criticism of the $5 trillion debt ceiling bill. Trump maintained that Musk’s attacks are not about the legislation itself, but rather the president’s plans to roll back electric vehicle (EV) mandates. The two former allies had a contentious falling-out after Musk, who stepped down as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) a month ago, attacked Trump personally and linked him to convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Musk later deleted those comments, acknowledging they had ‘gone too far.’ In contrast, Trump stated that he and Musk have not spoken much recently but remains confident in the entrepreneur’s success.
Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has repeatedly criticized the controversial budget bill on X, calling it ‘utterly insane’ and warning it would lead to ‘debt slavery’ and destroy millions of jobs. However, the Senate moved quickly to pass the bill after Musk’s comments, indicating it has strong bipartisan support. The legislation, which would increase the U.S. debt ceiling by $5 trillion, is seen as a critical step in preventing a potential government shutdown. Trump, in interviews with Fox News, claimed that Musk’s frustrations were tied to the president’s decision to scrap EV mandates, which he argued had been a key source of tension between the two. Trump also emphasized that he does not want every driver to switch to electric vehicles, highlighting the ongoing debate over environmental policy and economic priorities.
Despite the public spat, Trump maintained a relatively conciliatory tone, calling Musk ‘a smart guy’ who had campaigned with him in the past. However, the fallout has underscored the growing rift between Trump and Musk, who had previously been strategic allies in the political arena. Musk’s criticism of the budget bill has also reignited broader discussions about the role of private sector leaders in shaping U.S. fiscal policy. The incident highlights the complex interplay between political strategy, economic policy, and the influence of high-profile figures in American politics.