Reactions emerge from influential figures in business as Musk criticizes Trump's legislative proposal.
Elon Musk's public criticism of
Donald Trump's legislative proposal, the 'Big Beautiful Bill,' has intensified a rift between the two prominent figures, drawing reactions from various influential individuals in the business community.
The fallout unfolded on June 6, 2025, when Musk referred to the proposed bill on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), labeling it 'debt slavery' and derisively dubbing it the 'Big Ugly Consumer Law.'
Trump, responding during a White House event and subsequently on Truth Social, defended his proposal and threatened to revoke Musk's state contracts in retaliation.
The clash has had financial repercussions; the Bloomberg Billionaires Index reported a decline of $34 billion in Musk's net worth on that day, with
Tesla shares plummeting over 14%.
In the midst of this conflict, Cuban expressed support for Musk's suggestion of starting a new political party aimed at centrist values.
Cuban, known for his role on 'Shark Tank,' reacted to Musk's poll about a new political party with affirmations.
He has previously indicated a lack of allegiance to established parties but has noted he would run as a Republican if he pursued a political career.
Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman has urged both Musk and Trump to make amends, emphasizing unity over division.
On X, Ackman expressed support for both men and stated, 'We are much stronger together than we are apart.' Musk acknowledged Ackman’s statement with a positive response.
Paul Graham, founder of startup accelerator Y Combinator, also commented on the escalating conflict, asserting the seriousness of accusations being exchanged.
Musk had previously alleged that Trump was concealing information related to Jeffrey Epstein, sparking further dialogues about their respective actions and reputations.
As the public dispute unfolds, it continues to attract considerable attention, highlighting the intricate relationships within the intersections of politics and business.