Trump Expresses Disappointment Over Musk's Criticism of 'Big, Beautiful Bill' Amid EV Incentive Cuts

President Donald Trump expressed his frustration and disappointment with SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk following Musk’s official exit from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The tension comes as Musk intensifies his public criticism of Trump’s sweeping tax and spending package, which has become the center of a heated political debate in Washington.

Over the past week, Musk has repeatedly denounced the "big, beautiful, bill," Trump’s signature legislative initiative, calling it a "disgusting abomination" and warning that it would dangerously inflate the federal deficit. In pointed remarks, Musk lambasted the inclusion of what he labeled as “pork-barrel” spending, claiming the measure was packed with unnecessary expenditures despite its stated aim of fiscal responsibility.

Trump responded directly to Musk’s attacks during a meeting in the Oval Office with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, saying, “I've always liked Elon… you saw the words he had for me, and he hasn't said anything about me… I'd rather have him criticize me than the bill, because the bill is incredible.” The president described the legislation as "the biggest cut in the history of our country," emphasizing its unprecedented scale and impact.

The president attributed Musk’s opposition to the bill to provisions that eliminate an electric vehicle tax credit—a move that directly affects Musk’s company Tesla. Trump argued that this aspect of the legislation was never hidden, adding, “He knew everything about it. He had no problem with it. All of a sudden he had a problem, and he only developed the problem when he found out that we're going to have to cut the EV mandate.”

Musk, for his part, swiftly countered Trump’s statements on X, formerly known as Twitter. He disputed the president’s account, insisting, “It was false that I was ever shown the measure even once,” while urging lawmakers to remove the “disgusting pork” from the bill. Musk conceded that he could accept the removal of EV and solar incentives but decried what he called a double standard: “Even though no oil & gas subsidies are touched (very unfair!!), ditch the MOUNTAIN of DISGUSTING PORK in the bill.”

The spat is only the latest episode in a series of disagreements since Musk’s recent departure from DOGE. Earlier this year, Musk had been tasked with identifying and eliminating up to $2 trillion in wasted government spending and inefficiencies, but his efforts have run into resistance from Congress and now the White House.

In a series of posts, Musk insisted that the current legislation undercuts the progress made by DOGE and fails to deliver on promises of responsible budgeting. “This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination,” Musk wrote. “Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.”

The White House, meanwhile, sought to contain the fallout, emphasizing that President Trump remains committed to the legislation despite Musk’s protests. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, “This is one big, beautiful bill and he's sticking to it,” signaling no intention of revisiting the controversial provisions.

The ongoing clash between two of the country’s most influential figures underscores the stakes involved in the federal budget fight and hints at further turbulence ahead as the Senate prepares to take up the measure in coming weeks.