There has been a huge rift in the relationship between US President Donald Trump and Tesla and X owner Elon Musk. Musk, who was once considered close to Trump, has now openly criticized Trump’s tax bill and policies. The matter did not stop here – in response to Trump’s criticism, Musk retaliated on social media and said that “If I had not been with him, Trump would have lost the 2024 election.”
What is the controversy?
Recently, Trump introduced a new tax and spending bill, which he named “One Big Beautiful Bill”.
Musk strongly criticized this bill and called it “disgusting and economically dangerous”. He said that this bill will greatly increase America’s federal deficit.
What did Musk say?
Posting on the social media platform X (which he owns), Musk wrote: “Without me Trump would have lost the election. Democrats would have held the House of Representatives and Republicans would have won the Senate by just 51-49.”
He also claimed that the Trump administration did not even discuss the bill with him before passing it, and that it was passed “overnight, in secret”.
Trump’s response: “I’m very disappointed”
Trump expressed his disappointment with Musk during a press conference in the Oval Office with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. He said: “I am very disappointed in Elon. I helped him a lot. He hasn’t said anything against me yet, but maybe he will now.”
Trump also described Musk as suffering from ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ — a taunt he uses against people who suddenly turn against him.
Musk’s government role and resignation
- Musk was appointed the head of the “Department of Government Efficiency” (department that reduces government expenditure) by the Trump administration.
- But Musk resigned from the post a few days ago, saying that Trump’s policies have become a “political stunt”.