### Musk Criticizes Trump's Policy Bill, Strains Relationship with Former Ally

Elon Musk's vocal opposition to the latest policy bill backed by President Donald Trump has put the two prominent figures at odds. While Musk has stated his support for removing EV tax credits, his recent remarks have drawn significant attention due to their direct and critical nature.

Speaking to Capitol Hill reporters in December, Musk expressed a clear stance against all tax credits, including those benefiting electric vehicles. This came amidst debates over a House-passed bill that proposes eliminating the $7,500 tax credit for some electric vehicle buyers by 2026. The bill, estimated by the Congressional Budget Office to add $2.4 trillion to the federal debt over the next decade, aims to save $1.8 trillion while costing $4.2 trillion, mainly due to tax cuts.

Trump's disappointment in Musk was evident during a session at the Oval Office with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The friction escalated after Musk, who stepped down from his White House role on Friday, launched a series of attacks on social media. On Tuesday, Musk condemned the policy bill as a "massive, outrageous, pork-filled... disgusting abomination," expressing his frustration with its provisions.

Musk's social media campaign against the bill intensified, threatening Republican lawmakers who supported it and calling for political retribution in the next election cycle. His criticism became personal when he reposted a 2013 tweet from Trump about the debt ceiling, signaling a direct confrontation.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a supporter of the bill, acknowledged Trump's displeasure with Musk's reversal. Johnson noted that Trump's reaction came after the House passed the bill, following revisions made to secure Republican votes. Currently, the Senate is negotiating the bill, but internal GOP resistance and concerns from some Republicans in the House could delay its final approval.

The bill aims to fulfill several of Trump's campaign promises, including extending tax cuts from 2017, eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, and bolstering border security. These measures would be partially funded by cuts to Medicaid.

Financial markets responded to the public clash between Musk and Trump. Tesla shares plummeted by 14%, erasing a month's gains and marking one of the worst single-day trading performances for the company since its 2010 IPO. Musk's net worth dropped by $27 billion to $388 billion, although he remains the world's wealthiest individual. Trump's media venture also saw an 8% drop in stock value, and multiple cryptocurrencies experienced declines.

The strained relationship was further highlighted during a joint press conference on Musk's final day at the Department of Government Efficiency. Despite attempts to maintain a cordial appearance, the tension was evident, with Musk appearing uneasy and sporting a black eye, which he attributed to an incident with his young son. Social media speculation about Musk's behavior during the event added to the drama, fueled by recent reports of his alleged drug use.