Trump and Musk's Billion-Dollar Blowup From Allies to Enemies!

Trump "Disappointed" in Musk After Tax Bill Turn

The bromance between former allies President Donald Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk has officially soured, playing out in a very public and dramatic fashion reminiscent of its rapid ascent.

During a meeting with Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office on Thursday, President Trump expressed his disappointment in Elon Musk, once an advisor and supporter, now a vocal critic of his administration's policies. The fallout stems from Musk's scathing disapproval of Trump's tax cut and spending plans, dubbed the "Big Beautiful Bill" by the President.

“I’m very disappointed in Elon. I’ve helped Elon a lot,” Trump stated, suggesting that Musk is suffering from “Trump derangement syndrome” since leaving his post as head of the Department of Government Efficiency last month. He also added, “He hasn’t said bad about me personally, but I’m sure that will be next.”

Here's a breakdown of the key points in this evolving feud:

• The Relationship's Trajectory: From close allies to public adversaries in under a year.
• Musk's Criticism: Labeling Trump's tax bill a “disgusting abomination” on social media.
• Trump's Response: Claiming Musk "only developed a problem" with the bill due to rolled-back tax credits for electric vehicles.
• Campaign Support: Trump downplaying Musk's $250 million contribution to his election campaign, asserting victory in Pennsylvania would have been secured regardless.

Musk, known for his prompt and direct responses on social media, immediately countered Trump's claims.

“False,” Musk posted on his platform, responding to the President's statements. “This bill was never shown to me even once and was passed in the dead of night so fast that almost no one in Congress could even read it!”

He further elaborated that Trump could keep the tax cuts but should “ditch the MOUNTAIN of DISGUSTING PORK in the bill.”

The controversial bill, according to the Congressional Budget Office, would:

• Unleash trillions of dollars in tax cuts.
• Slash spending across various sectors.
• Increase the federal deficit by an estimated $2.4 trillion over a decade.
• Leave approximately 10.9 million more people without health insurance.

The crux of the matter seems to be the potential impact of the bill on the federal deficit and its overall fairness. Musk, a self-proclaimed advocate for sustainable energy and fiscal responsibility, appears to view the bill as detrimental to both. Trump, on the other hand, defends the bill as a necessary measure to stimulate economic growth.

This public disagreement highlights the complex dynamics between political figures and influential business leaders, especially in an era dominated by social media and instant communication. Whether this is a temporary spat or the beginning of a long-term feud remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the relationship between these two powerful figures has fundamentally changed.

Source: https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-tax-bill-6e7845081259c34db785182c51569c0c