President Donald Trump was asked about tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has waged his own campaign against the 2026 budget legislation he calls the "big, beautiful bill."
According to Trump, the reason that Musk doesn't like the bill is that it cuts funding to electric vehicles, not, as Musk has said, because it adds to the deficit.
Trump questioned why Musk is only speaking out against the bill now, when he's known about the bill for months.
"That hasn't changed at all, right? From the beginning," Trump rambled about his digital feud with Musk and possible reasons for it. "But I know that disturbed him. He wanted and rightfully, you know, he recommended somebody from that he, I guess, knew very well. I'm sure he respected him. But to run NASA, and I didn't think it was appropriate, and he happened to be a Democrat, like totally Democrat. And I say, you know, look, we won. We get certain privileges, and one of the privileges we don't have is to appoint a Democrat. NASA is very important. We have great people."
"But he wanted that person — a certain person. And we said no," Trump continued. "And you know I can understand why he's upset. Remember, he was here for a long time. You saw a man who was very happy when he stood behind the oval desk. And even with the black eye, I said, 'Do you want a little makeup? We'll get you a little makeup. But he said, 'No, I don't think so,' which is interesting and very nice. He wants to be who he is. So you could make that statement too, I guess."
"Look, Elon and I had a great relationship. I don't know if we'll, anymore. I was surprised because you were here. Everybody in this room practically was here as we had a wonderful sendoff. He said wonderful things about me. You couldn't have nicer said the best thing. He's worn the hat Trump was right about everything, and I am right about the great, big, beautiful bill."
See the clip below or at the link right here.