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

President Donald Trump expressed significant disappointment with SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk just days after Musk officially ended his involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The falling out comes amid Musk’s vocal criticism of Trump’s sweeping tax and spending package known as the "big, beautiful, bill," which Musk has denounced as a "disgusting abomination" because it greatly increases the federal deficit.

In a Thursday meeting at the Oval Office with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump told reporters, “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. It’s the biggest cut in the history of our country.” Despite the president’s praise, the rift between the two high-profile figures appears to be growing deeper over the proposed legislation.

Trump suggested that Musk’s opposition to the bill is fueled by changes eliminating the electric vehicle tax credit—provisions that directly impact Tesla. According to Trump, “Elon knew the inner workings of this bill better than almost anybody sitting here… 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, because that’s billions and billions of dollars, and it really is unfair.”

Musk responded swiftly on X, challenging Trump’s account and calling for the removal of what he termed the bill’s “disgusting pork.” Musk insisted he was never shown the measure “even once,” contradicting the president’s assertions about his familiarity with the legislation. In a strongly worded post, Musk wrote, “Whatever. Keep the EV/solar incentive cuts in the bill, even though no oil & gas subsidies are touched (very unfair!!), but ditch the MOUNTAIN of DISGUSTING PORK in the bill.”

The debate over the bill has intensified since its passage in the House in May. Musk has repeatedly attacked the measure, arguing that its expansive spending undermines the waste-cutting mission of DOGE, the government watchdog initiative he led until recently. Originally, DOGE aimed to slash $2 trillion from the federal budget through aggressive spending reductions and streamlining government programs and the federal workforce.

“This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination,” Musk declared, urging lawmakers to reconsider their votes for what he characterized as a betrayal of fiscal responsibility.

Despite Musk’s criticisms, the administration has remained unwavering. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that the president was well aware of Musk’s objections but remains fully committed to the bill. “It doesn’t change the president’s opinion. This is one big, beautiful bill and he’s sticking to it,” she told reporters, affirming Trump’s resolve to proceed despite the highly public split with one of the nation’s most influential business leaders.