Trump-Musk Public Feud Escalates Amid GOP Spending Bill Dispute

A public feud between President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk has escalated amid disagreements over a major spending bill known as the "Big Beautiful Bill," which Musk criticized for increasing the national debt and containing excessive spending. Musk claimed credit for Trump's 2024 election victory, asserting that without his support, Trump would have lost, while Trump downplayed Musk's influence and expressed disappointment in his criticism, particularly over the bill's provisions. Conservative commentator Laura Loomer highlighted the conflict as a significant topic among Republican lawmakers, who are reportedly divided on whether to support Trump or Musk. Musk emphasized his youth compared to Trump, suggesting he will have a longer influence in American politics. The dispute has further intensified with Musk accusing Trump of ties to controversial figures and teasing a potential third-party political run, while Trump threatened to terminate Musk's government contracts. Political figures like Sen. Markey have remarked on the inevitability of the ongoing rivalry, highlighting the fundamental policy disagreements between Musk's support for clean energy and the Trump administration's efforts to reduce such subsidies.