Read the Insults Hurled Between Trump and Musk
New York TimesMAY 26
Tesla Plunges $150B as Trump-Musk Feud Erupts Over Tax Bill
Above: Donald Trump and Elon Musk deliver remarks next to a Tesla Model S on the South Lawn of the White House on March 11, 2025. Image copyright: Andrew Harnik/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Anti-Trump narrative
This feud exposes Trump's vindictive nature when faced with legitimate criticism. Musk rightfully called out a fiscally irresponsible spending bill that contradicts conservative principles of limited government. Trump's threats to weaponize federal contracts against a private citizen simply for policy disagreements show authoritarian tendencies.
Pro-Trump narrative
Musk's ungrateful attacks on Trump reveal his true character, given that he has benefited enormously from their relationship. The billionaire helped craft policies he now condemns and only turned hostile when his EV subsidies were threatened. His reckless allegations about Epstein files show he's willing to spread conspiracy theories when things don't go his way.