Musk hits back on Trump over ‘big, beautiful bill’ criticism: ‘Whatever’

Elon Musk hit back prolifically at President Trump on Thursday after Trump indicated his “disappointment” in his former adviser over criticism of his key domestic proposal.

Trump, sitting alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s during an official visit, said he was “very surprised” and “disappointed” by Musk’s harsh criticism of the president’s signature piece of legislation working its way through Congress and expressed uncertainty about the future of their relationship.

Musk, nearly immediately after Trump’s made his televised remarks, responded on X.

“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,” Musk said.

“In the entire history of civilization, there has never been legislation that both big and beautiful. Everyone knows this! Either you get a big and ugly bill or a slim and beautiful bill. Slim and beautiful is the way,” the Tesla CEO continued.

Earlier Thursday, Musk began posting on the social media platform highlight Trump’s previous opposition to portions of the bill that involve the debt ceiling.

“Wise words,” Musk wrote on his social media platform X atop a 2013 tweet in which Trump wrote that he was “embarrassed” by the GOP’s move to lift the debt ceiling.

Musk has since “pinned” the post, making it the first thing users see on his page.

“I couldn’t agree more,” Musk wrote in a follow-up post, along with two American flag emoji, attaching a 2012 Trump tweet that said members of Congress should be banned from seeking reelection “if our country’s budget is not balanced.”

Musk has been at odds with Republican leaders over Trump’s agenda-setting “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” that passed the House last month, with the former head of the White House’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) arguing that it doesn’t do enough to cut spending.

The megabill is now up for review in the Senate, where it has faced pushback from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

Trump addressed their growing rift during an event at the Oval Office on Thursday as Musk was posting on social media.

“I’d rather have him criticize me than the bill, because the bill is incredible,” Trump told reporters. “Elon and I had a great relationship; I don’t know if we will anymore.”

He also knocked Musk’s appearance at his sendoff from the White House last week.

“You saw a man who was very happy when he stood behind the Oval desk, and even with the black eye,” Trump said of the bruise on Musk’s face Friday. “I said, ‘You want a little makeup? We’ll get you a little makeup.’ But he said, ‘No, I don’t think so,’ which is interesting.”

Trump noted that the bill doesn’t include subsidies for electric vehicles, and Musk owns electric automaker Tesla.

“You know, Elon is upset because we took EV mandate, which was a lot of money for electric vehicles, and, you know, they’re having a hard time, electric vehicles, and they want us to pay billions of dollars in subsidies,” Trump said.

“I can understand why he’s upset,” the president added.

Updated at 1:05 p.m.