President Donald Trump offered rare praise for Elon Musk on Sunday — despite the billionaire’s latest attacks on his signature legislation.
Speaking with Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo, Trump called Musk a “wonderful guy” and “smart,” even though their relationship recently soured. Musk had posted — then deleted — a tweet linking Trump to Jeffrey Epstein.
“I think he’s a wonderful guy,” Trump said. “He got a little bit upset, and that wasn’t appropriate. But he’s going to do well always.”
Bartiromo pressed him on the fallout. “Why did he get upset?”
Trump pointed to his administration’s approach to electric vehicles. “The EV mandate is tough for him,” he said. “I don’t want everyone to be forced into an electric car.”
Musk, meanwhile, blasted the Senate version of Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” on Saturday — his 54th birthday — calling it “utterly insane and destructive.” He claimed it would destroy jobs and damage America’s future.
In his post on X, Musk warned the legislation would raise taxes on solar and wind projects that haven’t started construction and offer handouts to outdated industries. “Strategic harm to our country,” he wrote.
This isn't Musk’s first swipe. In early June, he called the original bill “pork-filled” and a “disgusting abomination.” He scolded lawmakers who supported it: “You know you did wrong.”
Despite the harsh words, Senate Republicans, led by Sen. Lindsey Graham, debuted a revised version Friday night, hoping to pass it by July 4.
Musk remains critical. Trump, for now, is choosing not to escalate. But the billionaire’s continued jabs could still complicate things for the president’s legislative agenda.