Amid their growing public feud, President Trump said Thursday that Tesla mogul Elon Musk’s vocal opposition to Republicans’ “big, beautiful bill” is based on its elimination of incentives for electric vehicles (EVs).
“Elon knew the inner workings of this bill better than almost anybody sitting here. … He had no problem with it,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
“All of a sudden he had a problem, and he only developed the problem when he found out that we’re going to have to cut the EV mandate, because that’s billions and billions of dollars,” he added.
Musk’s car company was a major beneficiary of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, which expanded and extended $7,500 tax credits for consumers who purchased EVs as they became more affordable and accessible for many Americans.
Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” which was passed by the House last month and now awaits action in the Senate, axes those tax credits.
It also seeks to overturn a Biden administration regulation that is expected to require automakers to shift toward more electric fleets, or purchase credits from companies like Tesla that outperform the regulations.
Musk, who headed up the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, has claimed that his company does not need the consumer incentive.
In response to Trump’s comments on Thursday, Musk wrote “Whatever.” in a post on social media.
“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,” he added.
Musk has launched a barrage of criticism at the legislation since leaving the Trump administration. He has talked not only about its moves to axe EV and solar energy incentives, but also its potential to add to the federal deficit.
“Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate,” he said Thursday.
“Such ingratitude.”
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
