Donald Trump issues scathing response to Elon Musk after the billionaire vowed to punish lawmakers backing bill

Tensions are escalating between Donald Trump and Elon Musk over a controversial new government spending bill, and their once-friendly relationship seems to be completely unraveling in public view.

The bill, which Trump proudly calls his “big, beautiful bill,” is currently being debated in the Senate. It’s a massive document—nearly 1,000 pages long—and contains sweeping proposals, including a significant boost in military funding, multi-trillion-dollar tax cuts, and Trump’s dream of creating a “Golden Dome” defense system to shield the United States from enemy missile attacks. Trump and his administration are desperate to get it passed before July 4th, hoping to celebrate Independence Day with a political win that cements his legacy.

However, not everyone is on board, especially not Elon Musk. The billionaire entrepreneur, who once endorsed Trump and even holds a unique advisory role in the government as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has now become one of the bill’s loudest critics. Musk believes this legislation is reckless and financially irresponsible. According to estimates, the bill would increase the national debt by an additional $3.3 trillion, pushing America’s total debt burden to over $36 trillion. Musk sees this as a betrayal of fiscal promises made by many Republican lawmakers.

In a scathing tweet, Musk took direct aim at senators supporting the bill. He warned that any politician who promised to cut spending but ends up voting for what he called the largest debt ceiling increase in U.S. history would be publicly exposed during the next election. “Their faces will be on posters,” Musk wrote, making it clear he intends to use his influence and wealth to hold them accountable.

Trump didn’t let the criticism slide. Although he recently praised Musk in a Fox News interview, calling him “wonderful” and “smart,” the tone changed dramatically on Truth Social. Trump reminded followers that Musk had supported his presidential campaign despite knowing that Trump was strongly against government mandates pushing electric vehicles—one of Musk’s core business areas. Trump argued that electric cars are fine for those who want them, but it’s wrong to force everyone to make the switch. He called the mandate “ridiculous” and suggested that it had always been a major issue in his campaign.

Trump didn’t stop there. He went on to accuse Musk of being the biggest government subsidy recipient in history, implying that without government help, Musk wouldn’t have been able to build Tesla, SpaceX, or any of his other ventures. In Trump’s words, without those subsidies, Musk would be packing his bags and “heading back home to South Africa.” He even joked that if DOGE—the very agency Musk leads—were serious about saving the country money, they should start by looking into Musk’s own finances and federal support. Trump closed his message with sarcastic enthusiasm: “BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!”

Musk clapped back quickly and clearly: “I am literally saying CUT IT ALL. Now.” His message suggested that he’s not just calling for cuts to Trump’s programs or subsidies but to all wasteful government spending, no matter where it’s found—even if it affects him personally.

At the same time, the bill’s future remains uncertain. If it manages to pass the Senate, it still has to go back to the House of Representatives for a second vote. The first time, it only passed by a single vote—showing just how divided Congress is on the matter. Trump, aware of the razor-thin support, has been trying to rally his Republican colleagues, warning them that failure to pass the bill could result in a massive tax hike—up to 68% by his claim, which he describes as “the largest in history.”

But that may not be Trump’s only problem. Musk has also revived his earlier hint that he might form a new political party to rival both Democrats and Republicans. He says the current political system no longer works for the people and is too focused on spending money recklessly. In another tweet, Musk slammed the bill for raising the debt ceiling by an unbelievable $5 trillion and claimed that the U.S. has become a one-party nation, run by what he mockingly called the “Porky Pig Party.” In his view, neither major party is truly addressing the needs of everyday Americans.

With their feud playing out on social media and in the press, it’s clear that Trump and Musk are no longer allies. What began as a partnership based on mutual respect and shared goals has now turned into a fierce and public power struggle—one with real consequences for U.S. politics and the future direction of the government. As the debate over the spending bill continues, so does the battle between two of the most influential figures in America, each accusing the other of betraying the people they claim to serve.