Elon Musk Escalates Feud with Trump Over Controversial GOP Spending Bill
Musk Fires Back at Trump Over GOP Spending Bill
Ever seen a billionaire and a former president have it out in real time? That’s exactly what’s happening as Elon Musk and Donald Trump square off over the Republican Party’s latest massive spending bill. What started as grumbling turned into a full-blown brawl, playing out online and through public statements as the two high-profile figures try to pull the Republican Party in very different directions.
Trump kicked things off by accusing Musk of grandstanding for his opposition to the reconciliation bill, insisting the Tesla boss knew exactly what was in it and making clear he expected loyalty from a former political ally. Musk shot back that the bill “was never shown to me even once” and didn’t hold back, labeling it a “disgusting abomination.” His main beef? He says it’s stuffed with pork barrel projects and targets the very clean energy incentives Musk has built companies around, all while leaving planet-warming oil handouts untouched.
The war of words escalated when Musk launched a three-day “KILL the BILL” campaign, pumping out posts, memes, and clips of Trump’s own Oval Office soundbites. He hammered the message that the bill’s high price tag would lead to “debt slavery” for regular Americans, calling out lawmakers for pushing the country towards what he sees as a fiscal nightmare. Trump wasn’t about to let those jabs slide—he blasted Musk as ungrateful and even threatened to nix federal contracts for Musk’s businesses, claiming the billionaire missed “being part of my administration.”
Of course, there’s more going on beneath the surface. Musk has poured money and public support into GOP campaigns for years, even backing Trump in the past. But now he's threatening to cut off that financial lifeline for any Republican politicians who vote for the bill. Behind closed doors, House Republicans have reportedly grown tired of Musk’s outspoken style and what they see as his limited grasp of the political process. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans are struggling to unite their caucus, raising fears that the bill can’t muster enough votes to pass.
What's Actually in Dispute?
Here’s where it gets specific:
- EV and Solar Incentives: Musk’s top complaint is the deep cuts to clean energy incentives. The bill claws back subsidies for electric vehicles and solar panels while leaving tax breaks for oil and gas in place. As you’d expect from the Tesla and SpaceX chief, that’s a red line.
- Pork Barrel Projects: He’s not the only one seeing red about so-called pork spending. The bill is packed with local earmarks and side deals completely unrelated to core budget needs. Musk’s accusation: Politicians are sneaking in pet projects at the expense of taxpayers.
- The Debt Ceiling: Musk says the bill’s debt ceiling changes are a disaster waiting to happen, risking an economic breakdown similar to proposals coming from Democrats—an unusual overlap for the sometimes right-leaning entrepreneur.
At the heart of this drama is a growing divide inside the Republican Party. There are old-school fiscal hawks, business-friendly Trump loyalists, and, increasingly, outsiders like Musk who aren’t shy about using their platforms to try and shape GOP decisions. For lawmakers, the spotlight is only getting hotter as Musk’s followers flood the internet with calls to tank the bill and Trump tries to punish defectors.
One thing’s certain: When heavyweights like Musk and Trump make a scene, it’s not just about a single bill. The fallout could shape the future of GOP spending wars, energy policy, and which tech billionaires get a seat at the table—or are shown the door.