WSJ: Musk-Trump ties shaky as Tesla CEO slams tax bill, NASA pick

The once-warm relationship between Donald Trump and Elon Musk is showing signs of serious strain, as the billionaire CEO publicly attacked the president’s tax-and-spending bill and vented frustration over a key White House decision.

According to The Wall Street Journal, President Trump is losing patience with Musk after the Tesla chief labeled the House Republicans’ tax legislation a “disgusting abomination” and vowed to challenge Republican lawmakers backing the measure. Musk further escalated his offensive on June 4, urging his 200 million-plus followers on X to “KILL the BILL.”

A senior White House official said Trump was “confused” by Musk’s decision to go on the offensive, especially after the two worked closely for four months. “Trump wasn’t happy” with Musk’s recent comments, the official added, noting that senior advisers were caught off guard by the CEO’s sudden pivot.

Adding to the fallout is the White House’s decision to withdraw Jared Isaacman from consideration to lead NASA. Musk, who had championed Isaacman’s nomination, reportedly fumed over the reversal, saying he had “donated hundreds of millions of dollars to help get Trump elected,” only to have the nomination pulled, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter.

Those close to Musk say the Isaacman episode fueled his willingness to attack the bill. Though Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment, his online remarks left little ambiguity.

In addition to blasting the tax bill and calling it “abhorrent,” Musk warned he might try to unseat Republican lawmakers who support what he sees as a fiscally reckless package. 

While the two have often exchanged praise, insiders say the relationship has been marked by occasional clashes, including Musk’s criticism of Trump’s trade agenda.

Asked whether the two men still have a strong relationship, a White House official said, “It is too soon to tell,” adding, “Trump can be forgiving, but he doesn’t forget slights like this.”

The House bill includes more than $1.2 trillion in spending cuts over a decade, but the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office projects it would actually increase the deficit by $2.4 trillion compared with doing nothing.

By Sabina Mammadli