by WorldTribune Staff, June 5, 2025 Real World News

Tension between President Donald Trump and former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) leader Elon Musk heated up in a barrage of social media posts on Thursday.

Trump came out swinging:

During a White House meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump said: “I’ve always liked Elon. And so I was very surprised. You saw the words he had for me, and he hasn’t said anything about me that’s bad. I’d rather have him criticize me than the bill. Because the bill is incredible.

“Elon and I had a great relationship. I don’t know if we will any more.”

Trump said that the Tesla CEO’s problem with the Big Beautiful Bill revolves mostly around the legislation’s elimination of electric vehicle tax credits, and noted that Musk was aware of the policy “from the beginning.”

“He knew every aspect of this bill. He knew it better than almost anybody. And he never had a problem until right after he left. I’m very disappointed in Elon. I’ve helped Elon a lot,” the president said.

Musk chimed in:

Whatever.

Keep the EV/solar incentive cuts in the bill, even though no oil & gas subsidies are touched (very unfair!!), but ditch the MOUNTAIN of DISGUSTING PORK in the bill.

In the entire history of civilization, there has never been legislation that both big and beautiful.…

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 5, 2025

False, this bill was never shown to me even once and was passed in the dead of night so fast that almost no one in Congress could even read it! https://t.co/V4ztekqd4g

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 5, 2025

Trump hit back:

Revive the American Free Press!

  I asked him to leave’, President Trump: ‘Elon was wearing thin, WorldTribune.com