President Donald Trump and SpaceX/Tesla CEO Elon Musk engaged in a public feud over Trump's 'big, beautiful, bill,' a tax and spending package that Musk criticized for its federal deficit impact and elimination of electric vehicle tax credits. Concurrently, Trump met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss the war in Ukraine and held a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding trade negotiations, following a previous agreement violation.
Call with China's Xi, and Trump, Musk exchange fueled barbs during 20th week in office
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President Donald Trump and SpaceX/Tesla CEO Elon Musk engaged in a public feud over Trump's 'big, beautiful, bill,' a tax and spending package that Musk criticized for its federal deficit impact and elimination of electric vehicle tax credits. Concurrently, Trump met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss the war in Ukraine and held a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding trade negotiations, following a previous agreement violation.
Trending- 1 May 30: Elon Musk departed his tenure as a special government employee with DOGE.
- 2 May 30: Trump condemned China for violating an initial trade agreement.
- 3 Tuesday (June 3, 2025): Elon Musk labeled Trump's 'big, beautiful, bill' a 'disgusting abomination.'
- 4 Wednesday (June 4, 2025): Trump said Xi was 'extremely hard to make a deal with' on Truth Social.
- 5 Thursday (June 5, 2025): Donald Trump and Elon Musk engaged in a public feud.
- 6 Thursday (June 5, 2025): German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with Trump at the White House.
- 7 Thursday (June 5, 2025): Trump spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the phone.
- 8 Friday (June 6, 2025): Trump told Fox News that 'Elon's totally lost it.'
- Public dispute between a former president and a prominent CEO
- Ongoing diplomatic efforts regarding the war in Ukraine
- Continued trade negotiations between the U.S. and China
What: A public feud between Donald Trump and Elon Musk over Trump's 'big, beautiful, bill.' Trump met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss the war in Ukraine. Trump spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping about trade negotiations.
When: Thursday (June 5, 2025) - Trump-Musk feud, Trump-Merz meeting, Trump-Xi call. Friday (June 6, 2025) - Trump's comments on Musk. May 30 (Musk departed DOGE, Trump condemned China). Tuesday (Musk labeled bill). Wednesday (Trump called Xi 'extremely hard').
Where: Oval Office, White House, Washington, D.C., United States. Discussions involved Ukraine, Russia, and China.
Why: Musk criticized the bill for its federal deficit impact and the elimination of electric vehicle tax credits. Trump accused Musk of opposing the bill due to the EV credit cut. Merz sought U.S. help to end the Ukraine war. Trump and Xi discussed trade relations and a previous trade agreement violation.
How: The feud unfolded through public statements and exchanges on X (formerly Twitter). Diplomatic engagements involved in-person meetings and phone calls between heads of state.