Trump slams Elon Musk for criticizing the "Big, Beautiful Bill," while Musk fires back with Epstein allegations and budget threats.

Trump Criticizes Musk’s Reversal on Bill Support

President Donald Trump voiced sharp disappointment Thursday toward Elon Musk over the billionaire’s vocal opposition to the administration’s sweeping tax and spending package known as the “Big, Beautiful Bill.” The clash escalated publicly as Trump linked Musk’s criticism to recent cuts in electric vehicle (EV) incentives—a provision that impacts Tesla directly.

“Elon knew everything about it,” Trump told reporters during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office. “He had no problem with it. All of a sudden he had a problem when he found out we’re going to cut the EV mandate.”

The president emphasized that the bill remains a historic achievement, calling it “the biggest cut in the history of our country.” He claimed Musk only turned against the measure after learning of the elimination of tax credits benefitting EV producers.

Trump also accused Musk of recommending Jared Isaacman for NASA administrator but later rescinded the nomination, citing Isaacman’s political affiliation. “He happened to be a Democrat, like, totally Democrat,” Trump said.

Musk Responds with Policy Rebukes—and Personal Allegations

Musk quickly responded on X, stating that he had never even seen the bill. “This bill was never shown to me even once and was passed in the dead of night,” Musk wrote. He criticized the legislation as a “mountain of disgusting pork” and called for a slimmer, more efficient version, reiterating his previous calls for a “Slim, Beautiful Bill.”

In a subsequent post, Musk claimed the president was being ungrateful. “Without me, Trump would have lost the election,” he wrote. “Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51–49 in the Senate.”

The feud reached new intensity when Musk alleged on X that Trump is listed in the unreleased Jeffrey Epstein files. “@RealDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!” Musk posted. The White House dismissed the claim as a distraction and reiterated that the administration had already released related documents.

A source familiar with the Epstein matter said Trump expelled Epstein from his Palm Beach golf club and questioned Musk’s motives. “If Elon truly thought the President was deeply involved, why did he spend six months working with him?” the source asked.

SpaceX Fallout, Republican Reactions, and Political Stakes

After Trump suggested canceling government contracts tied to Musk, the SpaceX CEO responded with a dramatic threat: “@SpaceX will begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately.” NASA later affirmed it would continue implementing the president’s space agenda with available industry partners.

Trump continued to criticize Musk on Truth Social, stating, “Elon was ‘wearing thin,’ I asked him to leave... He went CRAZY!” The president defended the bill as “one of the Greatest Bills ever presented to Congress,” warning that if it fails in the Senate, taxes could increase by 68%.

House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed surprise at Musk’s reaction, stating they had a “great conversation” earlier that week. Still, Johnson said Musk was “flat wrong” about the bill. Several Republican lawmakers, however, backed Musk’s position, including Senators Rand Paul and Mike Lee, and Rep. Thomas Massie. Senator John Kennedy said Musk was right to worry that Americans are “quickly becoming debt slaves.”

The Senate now faces a July 4 deadline to finalize the bill. As the conflict between two of the most influential figures in American politics and business intensifies, the future of the legislation—and the unity within the Republican Party—hangs in the balance.