A "very disappointed" Trump breaks his silence and claims that Musk may be suffering from "a form of Trump Derangement Syndrome".
A war of insults
Donald Trump has finally broken his silence in the face of Elon Musk's fierce criticism of his "big beautiful bill", saying he was "very disappointed" and saying he would have preferred Musk to attack him rather than his bill: "I’d rather have him criticize me than the bill".
The reaction
Donald Trump seems visibly surprised by the billionaire's sudden reaction, claiming that his revolt is only explained by the presence in the bill of measures on electric vehicles, which once offered favorable tax credits to Tesla.
"Elon knew this from the beginning"
He adds that Elon Musk has known for a long time that these provisions were part of the text: "Elon knew this from the beginning".
Trump Derangement Syndrome
While, according to NBC News, the President claims to have "always liked Elon" and enjoyed a "great relationship" with him, Musk's characterization of his bill as a "disgusting abomination" seems to have been the last straw, and that Trump now thinks that Musk may be suffering from a form of Trump Derangement Syndrome".
The end of the bromance
Trump is now hinting that their friendship is probably in jeopardy, declaring, "I don't know if we will [have a great relationship] again."
"Whatever"
Elon Musk, for his part, immediately commented on X about Trump's recent remarks, saying simply, "Whatever."
"(...) there has never been legislation that was both big and beautiful"
The billionaire was keen to close the subject by reaffirming his own reading of the situation, suggesting that the relationship between the two men is well and truly broken: "In the entire history of civilization, there has never been legislation that was both big and beautiful. Everyone knows this! Either you get a big and ugly bill or a slim and beautiful bill," he declared, before deciding definitively on the subject: "Slim and beautiful is the way."
"Trump would have lost the election"
Musk, who invested millions of dollars in the 2024 election to support Donald Trump, followed up his comments with a second message, claiming that "without him" the Democrats would have control of the House and that "Trump would have lost the election".
Only the beginning?
Trump seems to take Musk's criticism as a direct attack against his mandate, while Musk openly claims his decisive role in the Republican victory. Clearly, this is not over yet. Not even close.