Amid the controversy over the ambitious budget bill project that includes significant increases in defense spending and border security along with tax cuts, public differences have emerged between President Donald Trump and businessman Elon Musk, who recently left his role at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The exchanged statements reflect different views regarding the fiscal policy that the U.S. government should adopt.
The relationship between the two has historically been close. Musk has supported Trump at various stages, even leading a key office for reducing public spending.
However, in recent days, tensions have arisen after Musk openly criticized the content and the approval process of the new budget project promoted by the White House.
The conflict began when Musk described the bill as a "disgusting abomination" and warned that it could lead the United States to bankruptcy, since the legislation would increase the deficit by more than $2.5 trillion.
Trump replied by expressing his "great disappointment" with Musk, accusing him of acting out of self-interest after learning about the cuts to the electric vehicle mandate. He stated that Musk had previously supported the project and that his change of stance was sudden.
However, on his official X account, Musk stated: "False! This bill was never shown to me even once and was passed in the middle of the night so quickly that almost no one in Congress could even read it," questioning the transparency of the legislative process. He also argued that "they keep the cuts to incentives for electric vehicles and solar energy, although they don't touch oil and gas subsidies. Very unfair!"
