Forget the Hollywood megastars; forget the music industry elite. The real power couple of the past year has been seen — not at the glitzy New York clubs, the Met Gala, or the Cannes Film Festival — but in the Oval Office, on the golf course, and at Mar-a-Lago, discussing far weightier subjects than couture fashion or which baby daddy is coupling with which baby momma this week.

We are, of course, talking about that dynamic duo in Washington — Donald Trump and Elon Musk — who have been busy demolishing the U.S. government and carving up the rest of the world.

Or they were a duo until this week, when Musk’s 130-day tenure at DOGE — the quasi-governmental agency created especially for him and his chainsaw gang — came to an end, and he was finally free to speak openly and honestly about Trump’s horrific piece of legislation, bizarrely named the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” (With Trump, everything has to be big and expensive, or it isn’t beautiful.)

Well, when Musk pointed out that the bill would add $2.4 trillion to the U.S. budget deficit, and called it a “disgusting abomination,” the world knew that it was bound to be the start of something big. In Trumpland, no slight goes unanswered, and no insult unpunished. Today, the gloves were off, and Trump came out swinging.

Starting with a mild statement that he was “very surprised” and “disappointed” with Musk for his criticism, he went on:

“Elon and I had a great relationship. I don’t know if we will anymore.” [Mike Wendling, BBC News, June 5, 2025.]

But he wasn’t done. During a news conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz today, Trump addressed Musk’s comments:

“We are doing things in that bill that are unbelievable. I’m very disappointed because Elon knew the inner workings of this bill better than almost anybody sitting here. All of a sudden he had a problem. He hasn’t said bad [things] about me personally, but I’m sure that’ll be next.” [Id.]

Well, there’s a challenge if I’ve ever heard one. Let the name-calling begin!

He also suggested that Musk was upset about the removal of subsidies and mandates for electric vehicles, as they might affect his Tesla business.

Musk, of course, immediately came back with a denial of that accusation, and posted on X that he had never seen a copy of the budget bill. He also reposted former tweets from Trump in which the latter had promoted a balanced budget.

Then Musk played the ace up his sleeve: He took credit for Trump’s having won the 2024 election in the first place:

“Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate. Such ingratitude.” [Id.]

Considering the nearly $300 million he contributed to the campaign, and his tireless lobbying (and arm-twisting) on behalf of Trump and some Republican congressional candidates, he does have a point.

And so ends round two of the Fight of the Century between the world’s wealthiest man and the one occupying the most powerful office on the planet.

Wouldn’t you love to know what’s going on behind the scenes as they prepare for round three?

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
6/5/25