When Donald Trump announced his ‘big, beautiful bill’, it received criticism from the most unexpected place. Elon Musk, who reportedly spent at least $250 million on Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign and also took up the role of DOGE’s head, didn’t shy away from slamming Trump’s latest bill.
On June 3, Musk tweeted to his 220 million followers on X, “I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.”
I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore.
This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination.
Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 3, 2025
The timing of his tweet coincided with a White House briefing where reporters were quick to ask Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt to comment on the fallout. She brushed off Musk’s criticism by saying, “The president already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill. It doesn’t change the president’s opinion.”
The reason why Musk’s tweet shocks many is because a few days ago he made a joint appearance with Trump at the Oval Office as he officially stepped down from his position of ‘special government employee’. While Musk thanked Trump for giving him the opportunity, the President acknowledged the billionaire’s contribution in his short service of 130 days. It almost appeared that they were still best buddies. But it is now clear that they have their differences and aren’t shy to talk about them on public platforms.
The Department of Government Efficiency (D.O.G.E.) is VICTORIOUS in slashing waste, fraud, and abuse!
Thank you, @ElonMusk. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/R7ppgUxt9m
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 30, 2025
While we are aware of the fallout between Musk and Trump, let’s discuss what potentially caused it.
Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ will directly impact Elon Musk
The bill that is up for debate in the Senate would reduce subsidies for electric vehicles and related technologies, which includes Musk’s Tesla. In 2022, Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act under which EV tax credits were implemented. Under Internal Revenue Code Section 30D, people buying a new EV could claim a credit of up to $7,500 and up to $4,000 for used EVs.
‘The future for American Workers is only getting brighter… we are on the verge of passing the largest working-class tax cuts in American history…
Our One, Big, Beautiful Bill will keep income taxes at the current rates, & deliver NO TAX ON TIPS & NO TAX ON OVERTIME.’ @POTUS
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 30, 2025
The loss of credit would be a major setback for electric vehicle manufacturers as they rely on it to help offset the higher cost of EVs. Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ includes a massive buildup of $350 billion for border security, deportations and national security which will be achieved by offsetting cuts to Medicaid, food stamps and green-energy tax credits.
JPMorgan analyst Ryan Brinkman reportedly said that the elimination of EV tax credits “could spell a $1.2 billion headwind for Tesla.”
Musk, in a chat with CBS, expressed his displeasure over the ‘massive spending bill’ citing that it would increase the budget deficit to $2.5 trillion instead of decreasing it and thus “undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing.”
Elon Musk’s personal reputation took a hit
We all know that Musk’s reputation took a hit ever since he started working as a ‘special employee’ under Trump’s administration. CBS report mentions that his net worth dropped by $100 million. His aim to reduce “wasteful spendings” meant mass lays-offs in federal departments, impact on social security, among other consequences.
Musk was on the receiving end of death threats, acts of violence, and multiple lawsuits. In a chat with CBS, Musk expressed that it was “a bit unfair because, like, DOGE became the whipping boy for everything. So, if there was some cut, real or imagined, everyone would blame DOGE. I’ve had people think that, like, somehow DOGE is gonna stop them from getting their Social Security check, which is completely untrue.”
While stepping down from his position as DOGE head, he probably also realized to spread out the word that he doesn’t fully align with Trump’s policies. He said, “And you know, it’s not like I agree with everything the administration does. So it’s like, I mean, I agree with much of what the administration does. But we have differences of opinion. You know, there are things that I don’t entirely agree with.”
He added that he doesn’t want to “speak up against the administration” but at the same time, doesn’t “wanna take responsibility for everything this.” administration’s doing.”
Tesla faced the brunt
The most immediate impact of Trump’s controversial policies was seen on Musk’s Tesla. The vehicles and showrooms were vandalized. People refused to buy his products anymore. Tesla shares fell by 50% from its record high and the profits plummeted by 71%.
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While Trump stood in support of Musk, urging people to buy Tesla, his bill secretly hurt him. So it was time for Musk to separate himself from his ‘best buddy’ and save his falling empire before it was too late.
Scroll down for some images of Donald Trump and Elon Musk together
