News Desk

A high-profile feud erupted Tuesday between former allies Elon Musk and US President Donald Trump, as the tech billionaire and former head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) lashed out against Trump’s proposed spending bill in his harshest language yet. The clash, which comes just days after Musk’s resignation from his government post, marks a dramatic escalation in tensions that had been simmering behind the scenes for months.

In a blistering post on X, Musk denounced the bill as “a disgusting abomination,” describing it as “massive, outrageous, [and] pork-filled.” He added, “Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong.” The remarks stunned political observers and marked a new phase in Musk’s increasingly strained relationship with the White House.

The bill in question-a $4.8 trillion legislative package dubbed “one big, beautiful bill” by Trump-is being considered in Congress and has drawn criticism across the political spectrum for its projected $3 trillion addition to the national deficit over the next decade. Notably, the bill includes sweeping cuts to healthcare and food aid programs, while allocating hundreds of billions to defense and infrastructure projects favored by Trump’s base.

Musk had previously criticized the bill in milder terms, warning on June 3 that it would saddle American citizens with “crushingly unsustainable debt.” However, his latest tirade signals a break from the careful restraint he had maintained since joining the Trump administration in January as the head of DOGE-a now-infamous task force charged with slashing federal spending and bureaucracy.

Trump and Musk’s alliance was once one of the most talked-about power pairings in Washington. Musk, the world’s richest man and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, was frequently seen at Trump’s side-on Air Force One, in White House meetings, and at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. Trump repeatedly praised Musk’s efficiency drive, calling him a “visionary disruptor” and an “American hero.”

When Musk accepted the role as head of DOGE, his mandate was clear: cut $2 trillion in government spending over four years. In practice, his tenure was marked by sweeping, often brutal, cuts. Entire federal agencies were shuttered, foreign aid was slashed by 70 percent, and tens of thousands of government workers were laid off. DOGE was staffed primarily by Silicon Valley technocrats and Musk loyalists, earning it the nickname “the tech bro task force.”

Despite the high-profile nature of these reforms, their effectiveness remains questionable. The DOGE’s own website claims $175 billion in savings-just under 9% of its original $2 trillion target. But outside analysts are skeptical. The independent watchdog group “Musk Watch DOGE Tracker” puts the verifiable savings figure at just $16 billion-less than 1% of the goal. Numerous audits have flagged inconsistencies and double-counting in DOGE’s reported figures.

Musk’s resignation from DOGE, which he framed as a personal decision to refocus on his companies, came amid mounting pressure from Tesla shareholders and mounting crises across his empire. Tesla sales have plunged over the last quarter, with several high-profile recalls and growing public backlash over mass layoffs. SpaceX has also suffered a string of costly rocket launch failures, denting its reputation and value.

Investors have grown increasingly anxious about Musk’s split focus between public service and his sprawling business ventures. A shareholder letter circulated last week demanded Musk “return full-time to Tesla or step down permanently,” citing declining market confidence and missed production targets.

Despite the mounting corporate pressure, Musk’s sharp pivot back into the political fray took many by surprise. Sources close to the tech mogul say he had grown increasingly disillusioned with Trump’s economic management and was particularly enraged that the president ignored his advice in drafting the latest budget bill.

The White House was quick to respond to Musk’s outburst. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the remarks, saying, “The president already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill, it doesn’t change his opinion. This is one big, beautiful bill, and he’s sticking to it.”

Behind the scenes, however, sources suggest Trump has taken Musk’s criticism personally. A senior aide described the president as “furious” over what he sees as Musk’s betrayal, especially after Trump had gone out of his way to praise Musk’s government service just a week prior.

“He was supposed to help us save money, not run away when it got hard,” the aide said.

The Musk-Trump schism could have major implications for the 2026 midterms and beyond. Musk’s $300 million donation to Trump’s 2024 campaign was a crucial funding pillar, and insiders say he may now redirect that financial muscle elsewhere-potentially to support primary challengers who oppose Trump’s fiscal policies.

While Musk has not yet announced any formal political ambitions, his increasingly vocal political presence and deep pockets have sparked speculation about a potential independent run or kingmaker role in the next election cycle.

For now, what’s clear is that one of the most prominent alliances in American politics has ruptured-and the fallout is only beginning.