Trump-Musk Feud Erupts Over Tax Bill as Xi Trade Talks Progress in 20th Week

In a whirlwind of events during President Donald Trump’s 20th week in office, a fiery public spat with Elon Musk, the former head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has taken center stage. Less than a week after Musk’s departure from his special government role on May 30, the billionaire entrepreneur unleashed sharp criticism of Trump’s expansive tax and spending package, calling it a "disgusting abomination" over concerns it balloons the federal deficit.

Trump fired back on Thursday from the Oval Office, suggesting Musk’s outrage stems from the elimination of an electric vehicle tax credit that benefits Tesla. "Elon knew the inner workings of this bill better than almost anybody," Trump remarked during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, expressing disappointment over Musk’s sudden opposition. The President didn’t hold back, later telling reporters that Musk has "totally lost it" and dismissing any interest in a reconciliatory phone call.

Musk, never one to shy away from a fight, hit back on X, denying he’d ever been briefed on the bill and urging the removal of what he called "disgusting pork." The feud escalated as Musk claimed Trump owed his 2024 election win to his support, while Trump accused Musk of going "CRAZY" over the EV credit cuts.

On the international front, Trump’s meeting with Chancellor Merz focused on the Ukraine-Russia conflict. While Merz emphasized America’s strong position to broker peace, Trump took a more controversial stance, suggesting the warring nations might need to "fight for a little while" before intervention, likening the situation to children brawling in a park.

Adding to the week’s diplomatic flurry, Trump held a lengthy phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, describing it as a "very positive" discussion on trade. Despite recent tensions over trade violations, Trump noted mutual invitations for state visits, signaling a potential thaw in U.S.-China relations after earlier tariff agreements.

This week has been a stark reminder of the high stakes and higher tempers in both domestic policy and global diplomacy. As sparks fly between Trump and Musk, and critical conversations unfold on the world stage, one thing is clear: there’s never a dull moment in this administration.