Trump–Musk feud intensifies after fallout over spending bill

The ongoing rift between US President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk has taken a dramatic turn following a clash over a controversial tax-and-spending bill.

In a recent interview on the Pod Force One podcast, House Speaker Mike Johnson revealed that Musk changed his phone number after the dispute, making communication difficult.

“I sent him a lengthy message, but it turns out his number had changed,” Johnson said.

“After the fallout, something must’ve happened. I realised my messages were going nowhere. I’m hoping to connect with him in person soon to clear the air.”

The feud appears to have been sparked by Musk’s public condemnation of the bill, which was signed into law earlier this month.

The legislation slashes funding for federal programmes such as healthcare and food assistance while offering tax cuts to the wealthy.

Musk blasted the bill as a “disgusting abomination” and warned it would raise the national deficit by $2.5 trillion.

Though the dispute began over policy, it quickly turned personal. Musk, who previously supported Trump, criticised the president for sabotaging his past work with the now-defunct Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Trump, in response, hinted that Musk’s outrage was tied to reductions in electric vehicle (EVs) subsidies.

The tension escalated further on June 5, when Musk alleged in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that Trump’s name appeared in the sealed Epstein files.

While Musk later expressed regret and Trump claimed there were “no hard feelings,” the feud remains unresolved.