Trump-Musk Bromance: A Rocky Road Ahead
Trump appears to be showing signs of growing exasperation towards Musk.
Once inseparable, Elon Musk and Donald Trump's friendship now seems to be on rocky grounds. According to reports from the "Wall Street Journal", Trump is less than thrilled with Musk's fierce opposition to his spending and tax bill. A high-ranking White House official shares this sentiment.
The Estrangement of Economic Giants
The reasons behind Trump's irritation might not only be the business tycoon’s criticisms. Musk, who had earlier collaborated closely with Trump and led the "Doge" government department for state efficiency post-inauguration, also championed Jared Isaacman's nomination for NASA’s top position. However, Isaacman's nomination didn't pan out, leaving Musk disappointed. According to sources, Musk reportedly lamented to confidants that he had pumped hundreds of millions into Trump’s campaign only to witness Isaacman's withdrawal.
Musk's Bitter Opposition
In recent weeks, Musk has taken a sharp turn and repeatedly lashed out at Trump's tax bill, referring to it as a "disgusting abomination". He warned congressional members about the potential consequences of supporting the bill, predicting their defeat in the midterm elections scheduled for November 2026. Musk believes the plan would lead to a larger budget deficit and inflate the national debt.
On Wednesday, Musk intensified his crusade by urging his massive 200+ million followers to persuade senators and House representatives to reject the bill. Trump responded by sharing a screengrab of Musk's earlier farewell message without comment.
Trump's Proposed Bill: A Mixed Bag
Trump's bill, among other things, seeks to perpetually extend the 2017 tax cuts from his initial term. To balance this, it proposes substantial cuts to Medicaid and food aid for the less fortunate. Despite resistance from both Republicans and Democrats, Trump is pushing hard for the Senate to pass the bill by the U.S. Independence Day, July 4th, with the House already granting approval to the 1116-page document.
The Aftermath of Trump's "Friend's" Criticism
A White House staffer told the "Wall Street Journal" that it remains unclear if Trump and Musk can patch things up. While Trump is known for forgiving, he doesn't forget personal insults of this nature.
Even before the escalation of Musk's criticisms, Trump's allies were concerned about Musk's potential to lash out post-White House departure. Some government officials reportedly encouraged lawmakers on Capitol Hill to post supportive messages praising Musk’s service, hoping it would placate him [1][2][3].
[1] Dispute Brewing Between Musk and Trump; "Wall Street Journal"[2] Elon Musk Turns Critical of Donald Trump; ntv.de[3] Musk Loses Patience with Trump; gho
- The Commission, which has also been consulted on the draft directive, might be interested in the escalating disagreement between Elon Musk and President Trump, particularly given Musk's criticisms of Trump's proposed tax bill.
- Musk's opposition to Trump's tax bill extends beyond finance; he has voiced concerns about the bill's potential impact on technology, business, and general-news sectors, predicting adverse effects such as a larger budget deficit and inflated national debt.
- The fallout between Trump and Musk may not be limited to politics, as the partnership between the two has extended into the realm of business, with Musk having previously collaborated with Trump and championed an appointment for a business executive within NASA.
