Xi, Trump, and Musk's Tense 20th Week Call: Exchanges Fuel Political and Tech Tensions

President Donald Trump and entrepreneur Elon Musk ignited a high-profile feud Thursday, less than a week after the White House marked the end of Musk’s government service with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk, who concluded his special appointment on May 30, wasted little time in launching sharp criticism of Trump’s sweeping tax and spending bill—referred to as the "big, beautiful, bill"—calling it a “disgusting abomination” over concerns that it would exacerbate the federal deficit.

The dispute escalated publicly when Trump addressed reporters from the Oval Office, pointing out that Musk’s opposition stemmed from the bill’s removal of electric vehicle tax credits—a policy provision that negatively affects Tesla. “I’m very disappointed, because Elon knew the inner workings of this bill better than almost anybody sitting here, better than you people,” Trump said in the company of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. He went on to accuse Musk of reversing his support only after realizing the potential loss of “billions and billions of dollars” for electric vehicle manufacturers.

Musk swiftly hit back on social media, insisting he was never given access to the bill and urging lawmakers to strip what he called “disgusting pork” from the proposed legislation. The public exchanges intensified, with Musk claiming Trump owed his 2024 election victory to Musk’s support, while Trump disparaged Musk for “going CRAZY” over the loss of electric vehicle credits and accused him of being “wearing thin.” The tension reached a new level when Trump, in subsequent comments, stated he was not interested in speaking with Musk by phone, despite circulating media reports of an imminent conversation.

This bitter clash unfolded against a backdrop of significant diplomatic activity at the White House. Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany met with Trump on Thursday, holding talks focused on the ongoing war in Ukraine. Merz emphasized the pivotal role of the United States in brokering peace, stating, “America is again in a very strong position to do something on this war and ending this war.” Trump, however, suggested a more hands-off approach, remarking that “sometimes you’re better off letting them fight for a while and then pulling them apart,” in reference to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

Merz expressed Germany’s willingness to partner with the U.S. in mediating an end to hostilities, and called for increased European pressure on Russia. Trump disclosed that he had told Russian President Vladimir Putin that both countries might have to endure further conflict, likening the situation to children fighting in a park who need to tire themselves out before intervention can be effective.

Separately, Trump reported a lengthy and productive phone call with Chinese leader Xi Jinping regarding ongoing trade negotiations. Trump characterized the hour-and-a-half conversation as “very positive” and highlighted that both nations reaffirmed the recent agreement to dramatically lower tariffs—dropping U.S. duties on Chinese imports from 145% to 30%, and China’s tariffs on American goods from 125% to 10%. Both leaders extended mutual invitations for official visits, signaling a move toward warmer diplomatic relations just days after heightened rhetoric over alleged trade violations by China.

The week’s developments underscore the convergence of domestic political drama and international diplomacy facing the White House, as President Trump navigates legislative fights at home alongside high-stakes engagements with global leaders. With the feud between Trump and Musk unlikely to subside any time soon, the implications for both U.S. policy and the broader political landscape remain to be seen.