Elon Musk Criticizes Trump Over NASA Budget Cuts - Source: MEGA
Elon Musk has publicly criticized Donald Trump’s administration over proposed significant budget cuts to NASA, making it clear he’s not entirely aligned with the former president.
A preliminary draft of the 2026 federal budget outlines an estimated 20% reduction in funding for the space agency, sparking backlash from space industry leaders.
A user on X shared a link detailing the potential cuts, prompting Elon Musk, the outspoken billionaire, to weigh in.
“Troubling,” Musk wrote succinctly, before elaborating further.
He added, “I am very much in favor of science, but unfortunately, I cannot participate in NASA budget discussions due to SpaceX being a major contractor for NASA.”
Musk’s comment section quickly erupted with users calling out the Tesla founder. One user asked, “Regretting your vote yet?” while another remarked, “These are not the cuts we are looking for. Talk to Don.”
Another user urged, “Speak up about it and tell the Trump administration they have made a mistake!” A separate comment pointed out, “What’s troubling is that you coddled up so hard to this administration and wore a hat that said Trump was right about everything.”
According to the draft version of Trump’s budget request, NASA is set to lose about $5 billion. The proposed cuts are expected to primarily impact the agency’s Science Mission Directorate, which oversees planetary science, Earth science, astrophysics research, and other crucial initiatives.
The proposed cuts include a drastic two-thirds reduction to astrophysics funding and a 30 percent decrease in planetary science. However, Congress is expected to push back against these proposed cuts. U.S. Representative George Whitesides, D-California, has already voiced his opposition.
In a statement to Ars, Whitesides said, “This massive cut to NASA Science will not stand. For weeks, we’ve been raising the alarm about a rumored 50 percent cut to NASA’s world-leading science efforts. Now we know it is true. I will work alongside my colleagues on the Science Committee to make clear how this would decimate American leadership in space and inflict great damage to NASA centers across the country.”
Trump and Musk’s once-close friendship has shown signs of strain, according to some sources. Vanity Fair editor-in-chief Radhika Jones recently commented on the Vanity Fair podcast, saying, “It’s only a matter of time before the bromance between Trump and Elon goes south, and it does seem like there are some cracks showing in his relationship with the Trump administration as recently as the last few days.”
Musk’s massive net worth took a significant hit after Trump announced a sharp increase in tariffs, including a 10 percent baseline on imported goods from all countries, as well as “individualized” tariffs of up to 50 percent on specific countries and regions. The 53-year-old billionaire saw his net worth drop by $30.9 billion as a result.
Editor Zoë Bernard expressed doubt about the future of Elon Musk’s political alignment, noting, “It’s hard for me to imagine that any of these billionaires who supported Trump are happy right now. Elon Musk included, but I don’t know what he will do politically, given that he’s put all of his chips in the Trump corner at this point. So, I mean, he can’t go back to the liberal side.” Bernard’s comment highlights the dilemma Musk faces as he navigates the increasingly tense relationship between his business empire and the Trump administration.
While Musk has been a vocal supporter of Trump for several years, the dynamic of their relationship may soon change. The tension is mounting as several factors have contributed to an apparent strain. Trump’s tariff hikes, including a 10 percent baseline tariff on imported goods from all countries and up to 50 percent on goods from specific regions, have severely impacted Musk’s net worth, with a reported loss of $30.9 billion. The imposition of these tariffs, particularly affecting industries related to Musk’s companies, including SpaceX and Tesla, seems to have hit Musk hard.
Beyond the financial fallout, Musk has reportedly faced additional friction with Trump. During a recent meeting, Trump allegedly placed restrictions on Musk’s plans and hinted at his potential exit from the Department of Government Efficiency—a position Musk had previously been involved in. This further signaled growing dissatisfaction on Trump’s part, with some speculating that Musk’s once-strong alliance with the president might be deteriorating.
Body language experts have also pointed to visible signs of tension between the two men, suggesting that the relationship is shifting. Musk’s historically close ties with Trump have come under increasing scrutiny, as his public support for the administration seems to be wavering amid the growing challenges his businesses are facing due to Trump’s policies.
As Musk’s political and business strategies evolve, it remains uncertain how he will navigate his relationship with the Trump administration moving forward. The cracks in their bromance appear to be widening, and Musk may find himself at a crossroads, unsure of which direction to take as his financial empire and political alliances are put to the test.
