Elon Musk’s former friend Philip Low claims Musk will do everything to harm Trump as the Senate advances the president’s bill.

Ex-Advisor Predicts Hostile Moves as Musk Renews Attacks on Bill

Philip Low, a neuroscientist and former friend of Elon Musk, claimed in an interview Monday that the billionaire entrepreneur would “do everything to damage the president.” The warning comes as tensions remain high between Musk and President Donald Trump amid contentious debate over the GOP’s “big, beautiful bill.”

Low, who has known Musk for 14 years and previously served with him on the board of NeuroVigil, described a turbulent history, including his decision to remove Musk from the company’s advisory board. “Knowing Elon the way I know him, I do think he’s going to do everything to damage the president,” Low told Politico. He added that Musk’s break with Trump was personal and political, especially following the fallout over the legislative package.

Musk has been outspoken in his opposition to the bill, calling it “a disgusting abomination” in a June 3 post on X, and escalating his criticism on Saturday. He argued the legislation would destroy millions of jobs and cause “immense strategic harm to our country.” Low suggested Musk, though now publicly conciliatory, is biding his time. “He has been humiliated. The whole idea that Elon is going to be on his side and help woo Congress and invest in election campaigns for right-wing judges—Elon might do all of that, but deep down, it’s over,” Low said.

Senate Advances Contentious Legislation Amid Public Disputes

The dispute comes as Senate Republicans pushed Trump’s legislative package over a key procedural hurdle in a narrow 51-49 vote, with only two GOP senators—Thom Tillis and Rand Paul—voting no. The legislation, spanning 940 pages, is expected to add trillions to the nation’s $36.2 trillion debt, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, sought to delay debate by requiring clerks to read the entire bill aloud, slowing proceedings for 16 hours.

Despite their differences over the bill, Trump called Musk a “wonderful guy” on Sunday, signaling public civility after recent online spats. “There are no hard feelings,” the president said, though he has previously criticized Musk as having “lost it” over his legislative opposition.

Low argued that Trump should consider Musk’s policy ideas and recognize the billionaire’s growing political influence. “Elon has wooed enough of Trump’s supporters to be an actual threat politically. He doesn’t realize the battle that he has on his hands, and one way to cut the support away from Elon is to actually adopt some of the things he is for,” Low told Politico.

White House spokesperson Harrison Fields dismissed speculation about the feud as “laughable and fundamentally unserious,” emphasizing the administration’s focus on border security, the economy, and peace abroad. SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment.

As debate over the bill continues, Musk’s relationship with Trump and the Republican base will remain a focal point, with both political and personal stakes intensifying ahead of the final vote.