US President Donald Trump said on 5 June that he had a “wonderful” relationship with billionaire Ilon Musk, but now he is “disappointed” in the businessman. This is how he responded to journalists’ request to comment on Musk’s statements criticising the document that Trump called the “Big Beautiful Bill” (BBB, Big Beautiful Bill) – it provides for the extension of tax breaks.
“Elon and I have had a great relationship. I don’t know if they’ll be (like that) anymore. He said the most wonderful things about me and didn’t say bad things about me, but I’m sure that could happen next time. But I’m very disappointed in Ilona. I helped him a lot. I wish he had criticised me and not the bill because the bill is incredible,” Trump said during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the White House.
Ilon Musk ran the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in US President Donald Trump’s administration until the end of May. The department was created to cut government spending, in particular by firing “inefficient” officials.
After his dismissal, the businessman sharply criticised the bill on tax breaks. Musk said, among other things, that the proposed changes would lead to budget gouging. According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump is “losing patience” and” confused” over Musk’s criticism.