Trump and Musk have been strong allies. But something has changed.
As Elon Musk has thrown a punch at President Trump according to this latest bombshell report.
Elon Musk Reflects on DOGE Challenges and Disagrees with Trump’s Spending Plan
Elon Musk, the billionaire innovator behind SpaceX and Tesla, recently shared candid insights about his time leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), expressing frustration over its role as a scapegoat for federal shortcomings and his concerns about President Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill.” In a series of interviews, Musk painted a vivid picture of the bureaucratic hurdles he faced and his evolving perspective on government operations.
“DOGE is just becoming the whipping boy for everything,” Musk told the Washington Post. “So, like, something bad would happen anywhere, and we would get blamed for it even if we had nothing to do with it.” His remarks highlight the challenges DOGE faced as it navigated criticism for issues beyond its control, a dynamic Musk found increasingly frustrating during his four-month tenure.
Musk, who stepped away from DOGE in May to focus on his Texas-based companies, including SpaceX and Tesla, also addressed a wave of violent attacks targeting his businesses.
“People were burning Teslas. Why would you do that? That’s really uncool,” he said, expressing dismay at the hostility directed at his electric vehicle company. These incidents, including firebombings, highlighted the turbulent environment surrounding his enterprises.
Despite these challenges, Musk celebrated DOGE’s achievements in streamlining government processes but acknowledged the steep climb ahead. “The federal bureaucracy situation is much worse than I realized,” he told the Washington Post.
“I thought there were problems, but it sure is an uphill battle trying to improve things in DC, to say the least.” He emphasized the dire state of federal technology, particularly in intelligence operations.
“There’s, like, so many situations where the computers are so broken,” he said, citing an example where “data from one computer to another” must be printed out and retyped manually.
Tensions with Trump Over “Big, Beautiful Bill”
Musk’s time in Washington also revealed rare tensions with President Trump, a close ally during the early days of Trump’s second term. A key point of contention was Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill,” officially titled “House Resolution 1 – One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” a flagship legislative effort in the president’s first five months.
Musk voiced disappointment, arguing the bill contradicts DOGE’s mission to curb government waste. “I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing,” he told CBS News in a teaser for an upcoming interview.
He also questioned the bill’s branding. “I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful,” Musk said, “but I don’t know if it can be both. My personal opinion.”
Legislative Hurdles and Future Plans
The legislation, narrowly passed by House Republicans in a 215-214 vote during an all-night session on May 21, now faces Senate scrutiny.
GOP leaders aim to deliver it to Trump’s desk by July 4, but resistance from some Republicans seeking deeper spending cuts and Medicaid protections may complicate its path.
Though Musk has stepped back from DOGE, he remains committed to advising on its efforts to modernize federal systems. His reflections reveal a complex relationship with Washington—a mix of ambition to reform, frustration with entrenched inefficiencies, and a willingness to challenge even close allies like Trump when priorities diverge.
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