World’s richest man turns on Trump over spending plans that would add $2.4 TRILLION to national debt – as polls show both men’s popularity tanking
Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s bromance has spectacularly imploded in a bitter public feud over the president’s massive tax and spending bill – with devastating consequences for both men’s approval ratings.
The billionaire tech mogul, who just weeks ago was hailed as Trump’s right-hand man, has unleashed a barrage of criticism against the president’s signature “Big Beautiful Bill” – a package that would extend Trump’s 2017 tax cuts while adding an eye-watering $2.4 trillion to America’s already bloated $36.2 trillion debt.
The explosive falling out has sent shockwaves through Washington and triggered what insiders describe as a “full blown X/Truth Social war” between the two former allies, with Trump reportedly “very disappointed” by Musk’s attacks.
New polling data reveals the public spat is taking its toll, with both men’s approval ratings sinking to new lows as Americans grow weary of the chaos emanating from the White House.
MUSK’S BRUTAL BETRAYAL
The world’s richest man, who spent months leading Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with promises to slash $2 trillion from federal spending, has emerged as one of the fiercest critics of Trump’s spending plans.
Without me, Trump would have lost the election,” Musk reportedly posted during their social media war, according to polling expert Nate Silver’s bulletin tracking the feud.
The Tesla CEO has joined forces with hardline conservative Republicans in the Senate to oppose the measure, which the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates will add about $2.4 trillion to the national debt – or up to $5 trillion when interest payments are included.
One Republican senator, speaking to Reuters, dismissed Musk’s influence with brutal frankness: “I don’t think very many senators are that interested in what Elon has to say. It’s amusing. But we’re serious policymakers. We have to govern, and so we have to deal with reality.”
TRUMP FIRES BACK
During remarks in the Oval Office, Trump suggested Musk’s opposition stemmed from self-interest, claiming the billionaire opposed the legislation because it ends an electric vehicle tax credit that benefits Tesla.
“Elon, I want to thank you. I know you’ve been through a lot with this horrible situation that happens… He’s a patriot more than anything else. He’s never, think of it, he has never asked me for a thing,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting – comments that seemed designed to remind everyone who’s really in charge.
MUSK’S POPULARITY CRASHES
The feud comes as Musk’s own approval ratings have plummeted to historic lows. According to multiple polls:
- ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll: Only 35% approve of Musk’s work for the Trump administration, while 57% disapprove
- CNN analysis: Musk’s net favorable rating has crashed from +24 in 2017 to -19 in 2025
- Among Democrats: His rating has collapsed from +35 to an astonishing -91 – a movement of over 120 points in the negative direction
- Harvard/Harris poll: 49% view Musk unfavorably, compared to only 39% who view him positively
CNN’s chief data analyst Harry Enten described the shift as unprecedented: “I have rarely if ever seen any change of perception as dramatic as this one… falling through the floor.”
TESLA TAKES A HIT
The political backlash is hitting Musk where it hurts most – his businesses:
- Tesla’s new registrations in the U.S. were down 5% in 2024
- January 2025 saw an 11% decline in new registrations
- Tesla’s stock has dropped 33% since January 2025
- The company experienced its first annual delivery decline in a decade
- Q1 2025 sales fell 13% – Tesla’s worst performance in nearly three years
Democrats, who make up 38% of electric vehicle owners compared to just 20% for Republicans, appear to be abandoning Tesla in droves.
DOGE DISASTER
Musk’s tenure at DOGE has been marked by controversy and failure. Despite grand promises to cut $2 trillion in spending, he left the position having accomplished “a small fraction of that,” according to Reuters.
His aggressive approach to federal layoffs has sparked:
- Protests outside Tesla showrooms nationwide
- Vandalism and destruction of Tesla vehicles and property
- A lawsuit alleging the Trump administration violated federal privacy laws
When asked about the backlash in March, Musk complained: “It’s really come as quite a shock to me, this violence from the left… There’s some kind of mental illness thing going on because this doesn’t make any sense.”
THE BILL BATTLE
The spending bill at the center of the feud would:
- Extend Trump’s 2017 tax cuts
- Increase military and border security spending
- Reduce federal revenues by $3.67 trillion over a decade
- Cut spending by only $1.25 trillion
- Lift the federal debt ceiling
With Republicans holding a narrow 53-47 Senate majority, just four defections could sink the bill if Democrats unite in opposition.
“We’re at $2 trillion in deficits,” complained Republican Senator Rick Scott of Florida. We’re not going to get interest rates down or inflation under control if we don’t balance the budget.
TRUMP’S TROUBLES MOUNT
The Musk feud adds to Trump’s growing list of problems as his approval ratings show signs of weakness:
- Multiple polls show Trump underwater on nearly every issue except border security
- His handling of the economy – once his strongest suit – faces increasing criticism
- 61% of Americans believe Trump’s policies will increase inflation
- Even among Republicans, belief in Trump’s ability to reduce inflation has dropped from 76% to 55%
THE FUTURE
As Nate Silver noted in his political bulletin: “It’ll be a few weeks before we can tell whether his break with Trump has affected his popularity. But for now, it looks like our decision to keep tracking Musk’s favorability was a good one.”
The spectacular fallout between Trump and his former ally represents more than just a personal spat – it symbolizes the broader chaos and dysfunction that critics say has come to define Trump’s second term.
For Trump, losing Musk means losing one of his most high-profile supporters and a key figure who helped legitimize his administration with tech-savvy younger voters.
For Musk, the break with Trump may offer a chance to rebuild his severely damaged reputation, particularly among the Democrats who once adored him and who remain crucial customers for his electric vehicles.
As one political analyst observed: “When you have the president and the world’s richest man in an all-out war on social media over basic governance, nobody wins – least of all the American people.
