Trump Slams Elon Musk: “I Am Very Disappointed in Elon, He is Angry Because We Cut the EV Mandate”

Former President Donald Trump has publicly expressed his disappointment in tech mogul Elon Musk, following rising tensions between the two over the Biden-era electric vehicle (EV) mandate—recently cut under Trump’s direction.

In a sharp statement during a press briefing, Trump didn’t hold back, saying, “I am very disappointed in Elon Musk. He’s angry because we cut the EV mandate. But we’re putting American workers first.” The remarks follow a wave of criticism from Musk, who has reportedly expressed frustration over the policy rollback, calling it a step backward for innovation and climate progress.

Musk, CEO of Tesla and one of the leading figures in the EV revolution, has long championed the transition to sustainable energy and electric transportation. The now-rolled-back mandate had aimed to accelerate the country’s transition away from gas-powered vehicles by requiring a significant portion of new cars sold to be electric by a target year.

Trump, however, argued that the mandate was hurting American carmakers, workers, and consumers. “We’re not going to let bureaucrats in Washington force our people to buy electric cars they can’t afford or don’t want,” he said.

The fallout marks a dramatic shift in what was once a publicly cordial relationship. Musk had previously served as a member of Trump’s business advisory councils before resigning in 2017 over policy disagreements, notably the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement.

While Musk has not issued a direct response to Trump’s latest comments, the rift between two of the most influential figures in business and politics is now firmly in the spotlight. For many, it’s a symbolic clash between economic nationalism and technological idealism.