Trump says he is 'very disappointed' in Elon Musk's attacks on the GOP policy bill - NBC News

Article Heading: Trump Voices 'Great Disappointment' as Musk Intensifies Attacks on GOP Policy Bill

The once-cordial relationship between former President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk has taken a decidedly sour turn, erupting into a public feud. Trump has expressed his "great disappointment" in Musk's vehement criticism of the Republican policy bill, a move that prompted a fiery response from the tech mogul, including the bold claim that Trump wouldn't have won the election without his support.

“I’m very disappointed because Elon knew the inner workings of this bill,” Trump told reporters during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. “I’m very disappointed in Elon. I’ve helped Elon a lot.”

This exchange marks a significant fracture between the two figures, who once enjoyed a close working relationship. Musk's involvement in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was a defining feature of Trump's second term, and the pair frequently exchanged public praise. However, the dynamic shifted as Trump prioritized large-scale spending legislation and Musk concluded his tenure at the White House.

Trump believes Musk's discontent stems from the bill's elimination of a tax credit designed to incentivize electric vehicle (EV) purchases.

"Elon’s upset because we took the EV mandate, which was a lot of money for electric vehicles and they’re having a hard time with electric vehicles and they want us to pay billions of dollars in subsidy," Trump stated. "Elon knew this from the beginning."

Key Points to Consider:

• Tesla's Predicament: Tesla, the leading EV manufacturer in the U.S., is facing declining sales amid heightened global competition and backlash against Musk's political activities.
• Stock Performance: Tesla's stock has suffered, plummeting over 20% this year, coinciding with Musk's escalated attacks on the Republican bill.
• Musk's Commitment: Since leaving his government role, Musk claims he's dedicating himself "24/7" to his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX.

Trump's recent statements represent his strongest rebuke yet of Musk, who was previously a top campaign donor and trusted advisor. Musk, formerly referring to himself as Trump's "first buddy," departed the administration on less-than-friendly terms.

Musk's Initial Reaction and Escalation:

• Initially, Musk dismissed Trump's remarks with a simple "whatever."
• He then escalated his response, asserting that Trump owed his election victory to him.
• Musk unleashed a barrage of criticism, posting over two dozen times against Trump or the bill in a short span.

"Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate," Musk declared. "Such ingratitude," he added.

Musk's substantial financial contributions to Trump's campaign were considerable. He spent more than $250 million to support Trump in the last presidential election. However, he expressed plans to reduce his political spending in the future. “I think I’ve done enough," he told Bloomberg last month.

Musk's opposition to the bill has also strained his relationship with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. Johnson noted that Musk had done a "180" regarding his support of the measure and had not responded to his calls after denouncing it. Johnson stated he planned to reach out to Musk again.

The House Bill's Key Provisions:

1. Extension of Trump's 2017 tax cuts.
2. Elimination of taxes on tips and overtime work.
3. Increased funding for immigration enforcement and the military.
4. Cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
5. A $4 trillion increase to the debt ceiling.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the legislation would add $2.4 trillion to the national debt over the next decade.

Despite the current friction, Trump previously lauded Musk's leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency, which aimed to implement significant financial and job reductions within the federal government. Although the DOGE fell short of Musk's ambitious $2 trillion cut target, Trump stated:

"Elon’s really not leaving. He’s going to be back and forth, I think. ... It’s his baby and I think he’s going to be doing a lot of things. But Elon’s service to America has been without comparison in modern history."

The escalating tension between Trump and Musk underscores the complexities of political alliances and the potential for diverging priorities to fracture even the closest of relationships. As the political landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how this public disagreement will impact future collaborations and policy decisions.

Tags: Trump, Elon Musk, Tesla CEO, Republican policy, Donald Trump, Friedrich Merz, Government Efficiency, US President, Politics, Tech News

Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-says-disappointed-elon-musks-attacks-gop-spending-bill-rcna211226