WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump hit back at Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk over his criticism of Republicans' massive budget proposal, suggesting the tech mogul is primarily upset over provisions that slash government support for electric vehicles.

"Elon is upset because we took the EV mandate ... which was a lot of money for electric vehicles," Trump said Thursday in the Oval Office. "They're having a hard time, the electric vehicles. And they want us to pay billions of dollars in subsidy. And, you know, Elon knew this from the beginning."

Musk has been critical of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, calling it a "disgusting abomination" for how much it will increase the national deficit and put America "in the fast lane to debt slavery."

The sweeping tax, spending and policy bill would -

See Full Page