Elon Musk’s fiery attack on Donald Trump’s latest spending bill wasn’t just about politics — it was personal, insiders say.
After the bill passed in the House, Musk took to social media and blasted it. “I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination,” he wrote. “Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.”
According to a report from Axios, the outburst came just after Musk’s short stint as a special government employee in the Trump administration came to an end. People close to both men say Musk felt slighted on multiple fronts, and the spending bill was just the tipping point.
One major source of tension was the administration’s refusal to keep Musk in his temporary government role beyond the legal time limit. That relationship had already been rocky behind the scenes. Musk reportedly grew increasingly frustrated when the Trump team refused to adopt Starlink, his satellite internet company, for federal air traffic control systems.
Another blow came when Trump abruptly pulled his nomination of Jared Isaacman — a Musk ally and private astronaut — to lead NASA. According to one White House official, the move was seen as a deliberate snub. “It was an out-the-door ‘f**k you,’” the official told Axios, pointing the finger at Sergio Gor, head of the Office of Presidential Personnel, for orchestrating the move.
Although the White House claimed Isaacman was dropped due to pushback from senators over his past donations to Democrats, sources say Musk took it as a final insult. “We’re pretty sure Elon thought the NASA situation was a last insult,” the official said.
Adding to the tension was the removal of electric vehicle tax credits from the bill — a direct hit to Musk’s Tesla business, which had already taken heat for his involvement with the Trump administration.
Another source put it bluntly: “Elon was butthurt.”
