Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and a prominent figure in the tech industry, has expressed significant grievances with the Trump administration that extend beyond mere financial disagreements. Sources speaking to ABC News have revealed that Musk's frustrations encompass a broader range of policy issues, highlighting a growing rift between him and the current administration.
One major point of contention is the spending bill proposed by the Trump administration, which includes potential cuts to the electric vehicle tax credit. Musk, who initially called for the elimination of the tax credit following the November elections, has recently shifted his stance. His company, Tesla, has now publicly opposed the removal of this provision, arguing that abruptly ending the energy tax credits could jeopardize America's energy independence and undermine the reliability of the national grid. This sentiment was echoed in a recent social media post from Tesla, emphasizing the critical nature of the tax incentives for the future of electric vehicles in the U.S.
Musk's grievances also extend to the administration's dealings in the realm of artificial intelligence. Sources indicated that Musk has grown increasingly frustrated with the Trump administration’s partnerships with OpenAI, a key competitor of Musk’s own AI startup. Behind closed doors, Musk reportedly voiced objections regarding a significant deal that excluded his company, expressing concern that such moves could stifle competition and innovation in the AI sector.
Another source of tension arose with the recent withdrawal of Jared Isaacman's nomination as NASA administrator, a move that sources claim left Musk feeling deeply disappointed. Isaacman, a close ally of Musk, was expected to play a pivotal role in shaping NASA's future direction, and his withdrawal has added to Musk's growing list of grievances with the administration.
Trade policy has also been a contentious issue between Musk and the Trump administration. In April, Musk did not hold back his criticism of trade advisor Peter Navarro, calling him a "moron" and "dumber than a sack of bricks" in a series of posts on X. This public display of disagreement highlights the ongoing tensions Musk has experienced regarding trade policies that he believes do not align with the interests of American innovation.
Most recently, Musk took to social media to vehemently criticize the funding bill aimed at advancing Trump's legislative agenda, labeling it a "disgusting abomination." In a series of passionate posts, he reiterated his stance that such mammoth spending bills are leading to the bankruptcy of America, declaring "ENOUGH" in a particularly emphatic post. His continuous barrage of criticism has drawn attention to the significant disparities between his vision for the future and that of the current administration.
The White House has remained silent on Musk's recent comments, and a representative for Musk did not respond to requests for further comment. Some of these details regarding Musk's grievances were first reported by Axios, shedding light on the complexities of his relationship with the Trump administration.
