By Emeka Blast 
Trump Crashes on Elon musk
Former President Donald Trump and Tesla–SpaceX CEO Elon Musk publicly clashed over Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBBA) Act, a sweeping budget reconciliation proposal that passed the House of Representatives by a narrow margin on May 22, 2025. Musk, who had served informally as Trump’s “minister of doge” and supported his 2024 campaign, criticized the bill for rolling back electric vehicle (EV) incentives and termed it a “disgusting abomination,” urging lawmakers to “kill the bill” . In turn, Trump expressed deep disappointment, accusing Musk of “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” alleging that Musk initially supported the legislation until EV mandate cuts were announced . The public feud has complicated the OBBBA’s Senate prospects and underscored growing fractures within the Republican coalition over fiscal and energy policy .
Background on the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act
Introduction and Legislative Roots
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1), introduced on May 16, 2025, by Representative Jodey Arrington (R–TX), aimed to use the budget reconciliation process to extend many provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, impose broad spending cuts, and raise the debt ceiling by $4 trillion .
Passed in the House on May 22, 2025, by a narrow vote of 215–214–1, the OBBBA was portrayed by Republican leaders as a means to solidify “America First” priorities—encompassing tax relief, enhanced border security, and increased defense spending—while curbing what they viewed as excessive federal outlays .
Key Provisions
- Tax Cuts and Deduction Changes
Extended the 2017 corporate and individual tax cuts through 2025.
Raised the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction from $10,000 to $40,000 for households earning under $500,000, after holdouts initially threatened to sink the bill unless the SALT cap was increased .
- Spending Cuts to Social Programs
Imposed stricter eligibility requirements on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid, including work requirements projected to remove millions from the rolls. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that 8.6 million Americans would lose Medicaid coverage by 2034, with 5.2 million affected specifically by work requirements .
- Scaling Back Clean-Energy Incentives
Eliminated or reduced many tax credits created under the Inflation Reduction Act, including those for electric vehicles, wind, solar, and other clean technologies, to offset budgetary costs.
Specifically, the bill phased out the EV tax credit, prompting criticism from automakers and clean-energy advocates .
- Increased Defense Spending and Immigration Enforcement
Allocated an additional $150 billion for defense, with significant funding directed to uncrewed systems (e.g., drones) and bolstered border security measures, including $70 billion for barriers, CBP facilities, and personnel .
- Child Tax Credit and “MAGA Savings” Accounts
Raised the child tax credit to $2,500 through 2028 (then $2,000 thereafter) and introduced “Money Accounts for Growth and Investment” (MAGA) savings accounts that provided $1,000 per child for eligible families .
- Additional Provisions
Imposed a 5 percent tax on remittances and granted the Treasury Department power to revoke tax-exempt status of nonprofits deemed to support terrorism.
Increased scrutiny and verification requirements for Medicaid recipients, and prohibited Medicaid funding for gender-affirming care after 2026 .
Reception and Criticism
Public Opinion and Bipartisan Pushback
Polling indicated widespread disapproval among the general public, with opposition to provisions banning state AI regulation garnering particular attention . Following its passage in the House, influential voices from both parties criticized the bill as regressive: The Atlantic, CNBC, The New York Times, and Vox described it as an upward transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich, while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer dubbed it the “We’re All Going to Die Act” .
Credit Rating Downgrades
Moody’s Investors Service downgraded U.S. debt from AAA, citing the OBBBA’s significant deficit impact—even as Republican proponents argued the cuts would restore fiscal responsibility .
Intra-Party Divisions
Several House Republicans (e.g., Elise Stefanik, Mike Lawler, Nick LaLota, Andrew Garbarino) threatened to vote “nay” unless the SALT cap was raised, forcing Speaker Mike Johnson to negotiate a $40,000 cap for certain taxpayers .
The Trump–Musk Rift
Musk’s Opposition to the Bill
Initial Position and Public Statements
Elon Musk, who had headed Trump’s informal “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), publicly denounced the OBBBA on social media. On May 19, 2025, Musk called it a “disgusting abomination” and urged his followers to contact Congress to “kill the bill” before anyone could read it .
Specific Objections
Musk’s principal gripe centered on the rollback of EV incentives: he asserted that cutting or eliminating credits for EV purchasers would harm the burgeoning electric transportation sector, undermining both environmental goals and his companies’ interests .
Mobilizing Republican Opposition
Through his X (formerly Twitter) platform, Musk threatened primary challenges against lawmakers who supported the OBBBA, amplifying pressure on Republican moderates already uneasy about the bill’s expansive scope .
Trump’s Reaction
Bitter Disappointment
On June 5, 2025, Trump publicly expressed “very disappointed” sentiment toward Musk, claiming he had assisted Musk extensively and that Musk initially “understood the bill better than anyone” until the EV mandate cuts were added .
Accusations of “Trump Derangement Syndrome”
Trump suggested Musk was suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” implying Musk’s personal animus overshadowed any substantive policy critique .
Threats to Musk’s Business
Beyond rhetoric, Trump threatened to rescind or reduce Musk’s federal contracts and subsidies—particularly those related to SpaceX’s National Security Space Launch contracts—citing possible budget savings .
Implications for the Senate and Republican Cohesion
Senate Prospects
Tenuous Support
The OBBBA now faces skepticism from key Senate Republicans, some of whom echoed Musk’s opposition. Senators Rand Paul (R–KY) and Mike Lee (R–UT) publicly sided with Musk, calling for significant improvements to the bill .
Risk of Deadlock
With the Senate evenly split 50–50 and Vice President Kamala Harris holding the tie-breaking vote, moderate Republicans such as Susan Collins (ME), Lisa Murkowski (AK), and Mitt Romney (UT) signaled reluctance to pass a bill that undermines clean-energy tax credits .
Broader GOP Divisions
Fiscal Conservatives vs. Populists
While traditional fiscal conservatives expected the OBBBA to curb spending, populist-leaning Republicans—aligned more closely with Trump’s base—questioned overriding popular programs like Medicaid and SNAP, fearing voter backlash .
Energy Policy Schism
The conflict highlighted a schism within the party: one faction prioritizing energy independence (including fossil fuels) versus another, less publicly defined, faction concerned about maintaining market incentives for clean-energy technologies .
Fundraising and Political Capital
Musk’s $250 million donation to Trump’s 2024 campaign and visibility at White House events had boosted Trump’s political operation. The fallout now threatens to undermine Trump’s 2025–2028 fundraising apparatus, as Musk-controlled entities and aligned donors reassess contributions .
The Democratic Response and Future Prospects
Democrats Reconsider Musk
Shifting Narrative
Politico reports that some Democrats, notably Representative Ro Khanna (D–CA), view Musk’s break with Trump as an opportunity to re-engage him on issues like AI regulation and clean energy funding .
Cautious Reception
Progressive Democrats remain wary, citing Musk’s previous support for Republicans and his history of workforce reductions at Tesla and SpaceX .
Potential Outcomes
Bill Amendment or Death
If Senate Republicans amputate the EV credit rollback or other controversial provisions, House holdouts (e.g., Stefanik, Lawler) might return to the fold, potentially salvaging the reconciliation package . Conversely, stubborn adherence to the original text could doom the OBBBA, leading to a status quo on tax and spending through 2025.
Future Trump–Musk Dynamics
The feud could shape 2025 GOP politics: Musk’s willingness to oppose Republican leadership signals an emerging pattern of tech-industry intervention that transcends traditional party loyalty .
Policy Ramifications
The longer-term dispute over EV incentives may have wide repercussions for U.S. auto manufacturing, domestic battery supply chains, and climate-related emissions targets set by the Biden administration that many Republicans claim to support indirectly through market innovation .
Conclusion
The public feud between Donald Trump and Elon Musk over the One Big Beautiful Bill Act underscores profound ideological and strategic rifts within contemporary Republican politics. Musk’s vocal opposition—grounded in protecting electric vehicle incentives—collided with Trump’s desire to implement a far-reaching fiscal agenda aligned with his “America First” doctrine. As the OBBBA moves to the Senate, its passage now hinges on whether Republican leaders can reconcile divergent fiscal and energy-policy priorities or whether inflexible stances on both sides will scuttle the legislation. Simultaneously, the dispute has prompted Democrats to reevaluate Musk’s political alignment, suggesting a fluid partisan landscape in which high-profile entrepreneurs can significantly sway legislative outcomes.
