In the middle of a public feud over his signature tax reform plan, dubbed the “big beautiful bill,” U.S. President Donald Trump offered surprising praise for tech billionaire Elon Musk, calling him a “wonderful guy” during an interview with Fox News on Sunday.
The relationship between the two influential figures has taken a hit in recent months. Musk, who served as a presidential advisor until May 2025, became openly critical of the bill following his departure from the White House, specifically targeting Trump’s decision to repeal key electric vehicle tax credits.
“He’s a smart guy. I think he’s a wonderful guy,” Trump said when asked if he had spoken to Musk recently. “I haven’t spoken to him much, but I know he’s going to do well always. He actually went and campaigned with me… but he got a little bit upset, and that wasn’t appropriate.”
The rift reportedly began after the repeal of EV incentives, a move Musk believes will significantly damage the electric vehicle industry. Trump, defending the decision, stated, “Look, the electric vehicle mandate is a tough thing for him. I would— you know, I don’t want everybody to have to have an electric car.”
Musk’s Explosive Rebuttal
On his 54th birthday, Musk took to X (formerly Twitter) to release a scathing critique of the Senate’s draft version of Trump’s tax-and-spending bill. He described the nearly 1,000-page document as “utterly insane and destructive,” warning that it would “destroy millions of jobs in America” and bring “immense strategic harm” to the country.
This wasn’t Musk’s first jab at the legislation. He had earlier called it a “disgusting abomination,” denouncing what he viewed as bloated, wasteful government spending.
Online War of Words
The disagreement soon devolved into a very public online spat. The two exchanged barbs on their respective social media platforms, escalating when Musk posted—then deleted—a claim tying Trump to the Epstein case files. The now-removed post ignited further controversy and highlighted the personal nature of their political fallout.
Bill Passes Despite Backlash
Despite Musk’s harsh criticism and vocal opposition, Trump’s tax-cut bill narrowly passed the Senate with a 51-49 vote. The legislation will now head to the House of Representatives for a final vote before it can be signed into law.
While the war of words continues, Trump’s latest comments suggest that he still sees Musk as an ally—albeit a frustrated one.
“I think Elon is always going to land on his feet,” Trump remarked. “He’s a genius, no doubt about it. We’ve had our differences, but that doesn’t change what he’s capable of.”
For now, the feud remains unresolved, and all eyes are on how Musk will respond as the bill inches closer to becoming law.
