Elon Musk criticizes Trump’s spending bill, sparks feud

The once strong relationship between President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk has deteriorated into a public feud, marked by mutual accusations and threats. Their alliance, which began when Musk endorsed Trump after an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania, has now turned sour.

The conflict began when Elon Musk criticized Trump’s major tax and spending bill, calling it a “disgusting abomination.” He argued that the bill would irresponsibly increase the national debt and encouraged his followers to oppose it. Trump responded by expressing disappointment in Musk and threatening to revoke government funding and agreements benefiting Musk’s companies. Musk, in turn, threatened to shut down SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft but later reversed course.

Musk also suggested that Trump appears in unreleased files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, implying a cover-up. The White House condemned Musk’s allegation, calling it “an unfortunate episode from Elon.”

Amid the fallout, Musk hinted at the possibility of forming a new political party. He posted a poll on his social media platform X, asking if it’s time to create a party that represents “the 80% in the middle.” The poll received significant support, indicating Musk’s growing discontent with the existing political landscape.

The feud has also impacted the stock market, with Tesla shares dropping by over 14%, erasing $152 billion in value.

Despite the public spat, Trump downplayed the situation, stating, “Oh it’s okay. It’s going very well, never done better.” However, he also declared Musk has “lost his mind” and rejected proposed peace talks.

The deterioration of their relationship highlights the complexities of political and business alliances, especially when personal and professional interests collide.