Trump & Musk: EV Mandates Shift Relationship
- President Donald Trump said his relationship with Elon Musk shifted after Trump discussed plans to eliminate the electric vehicle mandate.
- speaking after signing legislation Thursday to overturn California's EV mandate, Trump told reporters he was surprised that Musk, whom he considered a friend, didn't raise concerns about the...
- Trump said he found it odd that Musk endorsed him despite Trump's efforts to block states from phasing out gasoline-powered vehicles.
TrumpS relationship with Elon Musk has taken a turn, with the former president revealing a shift after discussions about ending the electric vehicle EV mandate. The dynamic soured, according to Trump, when Musk didn’t voice concerns about the plan to overturn California’s EV mandate, a move that previously aligned with Musk’s interests. This marked a stark contrast to their earlier,more collaborative phase when Musk served as the head of the Department of Government efficiency. The tension escalated as Musk publicly criticized Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” News Directory 3 has the complete story. Will this feud impact the future of tech and politics? Discover what’s next …
Trump says Musk relationship changed after EV mandate talk
Updated June 12, 2025
President Donald Trump said his relationship with Elon Musk shifted after Trump discussed plans to eliminate the electric vehicle mandate.
speaking after signing legislation Thursday to overturn California’s EV mandate, Trump told reporters he was surprised that Musk, whom he considered a friend, didn’t raise concerns about the plan.
Trump said he found it odd that Musk endorsed him despite Trump’s efforts to block states from phasing out gasoline-powered vehicles. The resolutions signed Thursday nullify the Biden governance’s EPA waiver, wich required at least 80% of vehicles sold in california to be electric by 2035. The resolutions also ended the EPA’s approval of California’s plan to increase zero-emission heavy-duty trucks and low-nitrogen oxide regulations for heavy-duty vehicles.
Musk, who recently stepped down as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), had assured Trump that “provided that I’m on the same plane as everybody else, we’re going to do good. We make a better product,” Trump said.
“I said,’That’s vrey cool. It’s very good.’ That was my answer. After that, he got a little bit strange … over much smaller things,” Trump said.
The relationship between Trump and Musk deteriorated in recent weeks, marked by personal insults. The feud began after Musk left DOGE and criticized Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” calling it a “disgusting abomination.”
This marked a reversal from the campaign trail and the early part of Trump’s second term when Musk and Trump were close, and Musk led a cost-cutting initiative across government agencies.
Musk was designated a “special government employee,” limited to working for the federal government for “no more than 130 days in a 365-day period,” according to data from the Office of Government Ethics. Musk’s 130-day window concluded May 30.
During Musk’s government tenure, Trump defended Musk amid protests targeting Tesla owners due to DOGE cuts.Trump also showcased his red Tesla outside the White House, praised a successful SpaceX launch, and attended a UFC fight with Musk and CEO Dana White.
Last week, Trump claimed Musk was upset over scrapped EV tax credits and the rejection of musk’s NASA pick, Jared Isaacman, allegedly due to Isaacman’s past donations to Democratic political candidates. Musk responded by linking Trump to Jeffrey Epstein and predicting Trump’s tariffs would cause a recession.
What’s next
The future of the relationship between the former president and the tech mogul remains uncertain as both continue to voice their opinions on policy and personal matters.