The public breakup of Elon Musk and President Donald Trump reached a fever pitch Thursday as the two billionaires lashed out on the social media platforms they own after Musk trashed legislation endorsed by Trump.
Musk has spent the last two days raging against the House-passed megabill meant to enact the rest of Trump’s sweeping agenda, blasting it as “pork-filled” and an “abomination.” The tantrum landed like a bomb during a Republican lunch on Tuesday as several members moved to back Musk.
Trump had attempted to stay quiet over the bill – which is now treading water in the Senate – but finally broke Thursday during an Oval Office meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, saying Musk “never had a problem” with the bill “until right after he left.”
As Trump was speaking, Musk, apparently watching the meeting, escalated the feud, writing, “Slim Beautiful Bill for the win” – a knock at the bill’s name, “One, Big Beautiful Bill.” After Musk made several other posts, Trump fired back on Truth Social, saying Musk has been “wearing thin.” Musk then countered with multiple attacks – including one controversial allegation about Trump’s ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein – that continued throughout much of the afternoon. In the meantime, Tesla’s stock price plummeted.
The falling out comes just days after Musk left the administration officially after serving 130 days as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency. It also comes amid reports of Musk clashing with members of Trump’s inner circle, including chief of staff Susie Wiles.
