Elon Musk: "I just can't stand it anymore"

[BabaVoss]

We still have no detailed report on what money will be "saved" by doge. One guy got to make the decisions.

In 4 or 5 years we can look back and will see how much DOGE cost American taxpayers.
By the time all the lawsuits and reversals work there was through the courts, DOGE will be a net negative. Probably a big one.
Then consider all that is being lost. Jobs, experience, tribal knowledge, and progress.

The TACO Shitshow has done a lot of damage. Science in the US has been ravaged by the ignorant cuts to research. China will benefit.
That the EV incentive will get axed is probably one of the biggies for Musk. His wealth is largely due to government help. China will benefit from that too.
Between that and Musk being his own worst PR nightmare, Tesla may not even survive. But Musk will.
The colossal trade debacle create entirely nay trump has already cost Americans a lot. That will get worse. Every single tariff is a tax on Americans.
The damage done to our global reputation is incalculable. We are no longer trustworthy or reliable.
That we were stupid enough to reelect trump broadcasts a negative aspect or Americans to the world.
All of this will cost us much and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
And we are still digging.

 

[Gaius46]

This type of power given to an unelected advisor is unprecedented, so the rules aren't very clear. Unless there's a rule preventing reappointment and extension, then Musk could have been reappointed and his term extended. But like I said, this is unprecedented. It's not like I can compare this to what happened last time, so I have no idea what the "rules" dictate.

I agree that the power he was granted was unprecedented. That's a different issue from the rules under which he was allowed to work for the government.

He was classed a "special government employee" under 18 USC 202 (https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/202). The SGE designation allows someone to work for the government for a maximum of 130 days within a 365 period. There are no provisions to allow for reappointment within that 365 day period. That is why Musk had to leave.

The statute does not speak at all to what duties may or may not be performed.

 

[Visbek]

Trump is not the brightest bulb, but he played Musk beautifully.

Yeah, not quite. He got Elmo's money, sure. But now he has to put up with Elmo acting like a coyote on meth, trying to spike bills, planning to primary Trump loyalists, and attacking Trump's agenda.

I also don't think he will get away with making Elmo a fall guy for DOGE. He may try, but that will require admitting that he patted Elmo on the back for months while inflicting harm on Americans.

 

[Callen]

I agree that the power he was granted was unprecedented. That's a different issue from the rules under which he was allowed to work for the government.

He was classed a "special government employee" under 18 USC 202 (https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/202). The SGE designation allows someone to work for the government for a maximum of 130 days within a 365 period. There are no provisions to allow for reappointment within that 365 day period. That is why Musk had to leave.

The statute does not speak at all to what duties may or may not be performed.

He could just as easily been called an advisor or czar or special something or other or Trump could have written an EO. If Trump wanted him to stay AND Musk wanted to stay he would have stayed. I think this was mutual but not amicable.

 

[Michael Cole]

I love that what makes this Bill an abomination to a man like Elon Musk is not the fact that it lets AI companies run amok across the United States, or allows Palantir to create a KGB-style dossier on every single citizen in the United States, or cuts Medicaid for the impoverished, but instead that it does not cut enough.

He might as well have said "My problem with the bill is that I came into government to hurt people, and while it hurts a ton of poor people, it just does not hurt enough of them."

Not to defend Musk, but he has admitted to having Asperger's Syndrome. People on the autism spectrum lack Theory of Mind, which is the innate human ability to understand intentionality. This part of the brain develops early, and by 6 years old, most children understand that others have thoughts of their own which can be affected by their own thoughts and behavior. Humans eventually develop this ability to extent of manipulating others. People with Asperger's do not have this ability. His mind doesn't understand that others can be hurt by his actions.

This article, written by someone with Asperger's is interesting.

Empathy, Mindblindness, and Theory of Mind

For many of those with autism or Asperger's, mindblindness creates major barriers to communication and closeness. These barriers often lead to those nearest to the individual feel, whether real or perceived, a lack of empathy from the individual. But is that really the case?

www.psychologytoday.com

The article describes Theory of Mind, autism and empathy.

This is remarkable:

So, here it comes - the "E" word - empathy. On the wall in one of my childhood classrooms was a copy of Norman Rockwell's painting, "The Golden Rule." I recall staring at those words, day after day as we lined up in the doorway - "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." It sank in.

From a young age, I incorporated that axiom into my belief structure. But here's where the problem comes in - what I would want "done unto me" is entirely different than what another might want. Likewise, "Putting myself in the other person's shoes" would have me doing something very different than what another person might envision doing in a similar situation. So, the logic is faulty.

To me, the Golden Rule and "put yourself into another's shoes" simply mean, "do no harm." Don't make anyone cry. I don't need logic. The empathy is direct and innate.

The process by which this type of socialization occurs is perfectly logical, for someone with a functioning Theory of Mind. Further in the article, the author follows with this:

I consider myself a very soft hearted person. When a character in a movie or television show is embarrassed, I feel embarrassed for them. When around someone who is crying, or in deep emotional pain, I often feel like crying with them, comforting them. Many people with autism and Asperger's are very close to their pets, and are very nurturing and empathetic toward them.

Normal socialization is self-correcting. If I feel bad seeing someone cry, especially someone I'm close to, then my motivation is to relieve myself of this bad feeling. The author mentions comforting, which is a perfectly normal response. But what if the reason the person is crying is something I have done? My bad feeling would now include not only sorrow, but guilt and possibly shame. I would become apologetic and gracious, and I would learn from the experience. Hopefully, depending on my character, mistakes would be one-offs, and I'd grow into a positive thinking adult.

People on the autism spectrum don't think this way. It's no excuse for Musk, but what we have is the world's richest man without a working Theory of Mind. A man with the power to do whatever he wants, with control over many people's lives, without the ability to fully comprehend the consequences of his actions.

I hope this bill sinks, but it almost certainly is not going to.

 

[Cope]

But your idol and his merry band of ass kissers in Congress want the opposite.

Who would that be? I'm thinking your assumptions make you look the ass here, but I could be wrong?

 

[BabaVoss]

"Trump is not the brightest bulb, but he played Musk beautifully."

Yeah, not quite. He got Elmo's money, sure. But now he has to put up with Elmo acting like a coyote on meth, trying to spike bills, planning to primary Trump loyalists, and attacking Trump's agenda.

I also don't think he will get away with making Elmo a fall guy for DOGE. He may try, but that will require admitting that he patted Elmo on the back for months while inflicting harm on Americans.

But now everyone hates Musk while TACO Trump continues to grift. Trump got the money, got elected, and has managed to transfer the hate to Musk instead of him.

 

[Michael Cole]

I agree that the power he was granted was unprecedented. That's a different issue from the rules under which he was allowed to work for the government.

He was classed a "special government employee" under 18 USC 202 (https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/202). The SGE designation allows someone to work for the government for a maximum of 130 days within a 365 period. There are no provisions to allow for reappointment within that 365 day period. That is why Musk had to leave.

The statute does not speak at all to what duties may or may not be performed.

Thanks. That's clear.

Maybe Musk expected something other than he received. I don't know. What I do know is that his kid didn't give him a black eye. It does look like a divorce. Lol.

 

[Visbek]

There are no provisions to allow for reappointment within that 365 day period. That is why Musk had to leave.

Yes, because this administration carefully follows rules and regulations about government employees, contractors and advisors.

Yeah, I couldn't type that with a straight face. They don't give a **** about the statutory requirements. They would have invented some excuse to keep him around, while denying he had a role, then fending off lawsuits, and so forth.

The reality is that somehow, Elmo got it through his drug-addled brain that Tesla is going down the tubes. I doubt he realized that a lot of the damage was a result of his association with Trump, as he was basically playing nice while tripping in the Oval Office on his way out. Then again, he seems to be spending more time playing video games than running damage control, so... who knows? Sometimes, people who spend all day trying to be unpredictable are, well, unpredictable.

 

[Gaius46]

He could just as easily been called an advisor or czar or special something or other or Trump could have written an EO. If Trump wanted him to stay AND Musk wanted to stay he would have stayed. I think this was mutual but not amicable.

I honestly don't think so. EO's can't override actual laws. I'm not defending Musk at all - he screwed over lots of people and should have never been brought in in the first place. I also expected he and Trump would have a falling out eventually - no way Trump could ever stomach an equally big ego out shining him.

I think Musk misread the backlash and is making noise to save what's left of his reputation.

 

[Visbek]

But now everyone hates Musk while TACO Trump continues to grift. Trump got the money, got elected, and has managed to transfer the hate to Musk instead of him.

Yes, I agree. The thing is that now, he has no control over the wealthiest man in the world, who owns a social media site much larger than Trump's, is stuck in Goblin Mode, and has no qualms about repeatedly attacking Trump's agenda. Elmo has made a big mess for Dear Leader.

We should also note that President Thin Skin won't be able to hold his tongue for long. Once he starts to attack Elmo publicly, it's going to be a Toddler Social Media Slugfest, almost certainly before the midterms. Fingers crossed.

 

[Helix]

Yes, I agree. The thing is that now, he has no control over the wealthiest man in the world, who owns a social media site much larger than Trump's, is stuck in Goblin Mode, and has no qualms about repeatedly attacking Trump's agenda. Elmo has made a big mess for Dear Leader.

We should also note that President Thin Skin won't be able to hold his tongue for long. Once he starts to attack Elmo publicly, it's going to be a Toddler Social Media Slugfest, almost certainly before the midterms. Fingers crossed.

I would argue that he does potentially have some control over him. The office that he holds is immensely powerful.

 

[Visbek]

I would argue that he does potentially have some control over him. The office that he holds is immensely powerful.

You're assuming that Elmo is a rational human being, who is willing and able to keep his mouth shut in order to further his interests. His track record over the past several years makes it abundantly clear that is not the case.

 

[Helix]

You're assuming that Elmo is a rational human being, who is willing and able to keep his mouth shut in order to further his interests. His track record over the past several years makes it abundantly clear that is not the case.

Oh, I'm not arguing that edolf thinks or ever will think that someone powerful potentially has control over him. Oligarchs often don't. That doesn't change the reality of the situation, though.

 

[Fearandloathing]

'Disgusting abomination': Musk goes nuclear on Trump's 'big beautiful bill'​

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/03/elon-musk-trump-bill-00382653

Elon Musk came out swinging against President Donald Trump's "big beautiful bill" on Tuesday, slamming the reconciliation package as a "disgusting abomination" in a massive break from the president just days after stepping away from his role in the administration.

"I'm sorry, but I just can't stand it anymore," Musk wrote on his social media platform X. "This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it."

Musk, who Trump had tapped to lead the federal expense-slashing Department of Government Efficiency, went on to criticize the bill for setting up Congress to "increase the already gigantic budget deficit to $2.5 trillion (!!!)" and saddle Americans with "crushingly unsustainable debt."
____________________________________________________
This is precisely what democrats have been saying every day since republicans came out with their budget bill. Republicans have always increased the national debt, and always done the same way, by massive tax cuts for the rich. Historically, it's always democrats that have always reduced the deficits that have been run up by reckless republican presidents and Congress.
View attachment 67572844

I know how you feel, Elon.

I was suck of you back at the fake robot.

Please return to your man cave. You will NEVER be popular again. You pissed off Trump after you pissed off everyone else. You're on your own genius.

 

[blur]

Elon wasn't upset about the spending, he's upset that the bill cut out his tax breaks: Biden and Obama put forth policies meant to promote the building and purchase of electric vehicles (hi Tesla), and Trump rolled them back with this bill: https://www.usatoday.com/story/mone...bill-electric-vehicle-tax-credit/83673329007/

 

[Fearandloathing]

'Disgusting abomination': Musk goes nuclear on Trump's 'big beautiful bill'​

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/03/elon-musk-trump-bill-00382653

Elon Musk came out swinging against President Donald Trump's "big beautiful bill" on Tuesday, slamming the reconciliation package as a "disgusting abomination" in a massive break from the president just days after stepping away from his role in the administration.

"I'm sorry, but I just can't stand it anymore," Musk wrote on his social media platform X. "This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it."

Musk, who Trump had tapped to lead the federal expense-slashing Department of Government Efficiency, went on to criticize the bill for setting up Congress to "increase the already gigantic budget deficit to $2.5 trillion (!!!)" and saddle Americans with "crushingly unsustainable debt."
____________________________________________________
This is precisely what democrats have been saying every day since republicans came out with their budget bill. Republicans have always increased the national debt, and always done the same way, by massive tax cuts for the rich. Historically, it's always democrats that have always reduced the deficits that have been run up by reckless republican presidents and Congress.
View attachment 67572844

The whole affair smacks of the need for drama in place of good policy.

The way to find efficiency is NOT mass firings with no background.

The way to reduce costs is through efficiency and eliminating your work force is counter to that.

Having been there in a much smaller capacity I can definitively state that the first efficiency is duplication. EVERY outfit on earth has it. It's easy to find and eliminate. The second is fat middle management.

Any first year MBA candidate knows that.

Like Edison, Musk is a scientist. Smart scientists get great MBA's to run their ideas for them.

Elon is not a smart scientists. He's so stupid he thinks he knows everything.

What the inexperienced Musk did was classic rich boy - slash and burn without thought or input in the consequences

 

[Ikari]

The whole affair smacks of the need for drama in place of good policy.

The way to find efficiency is NOT mass firings with no background.

The way to reduce costs is through efficiency and eliminating your work force is counter to that.

Having been there in a much smaller capacity I can definitively state that the first efficiency is duplication. EVERY outfit on earth has it. It's easy to find and eliminate. The second is fat middle management.

Any first year MBA candidate knows that.

Like Edison, Musk is a scientist. Smart scientists get great MBA's to run their ideas for them.

Elon is not a smart scientists. He's so stupid he thinks he knows everything.

What the inexperienced Musk did was classic rich boy - slash and burn without thought or input in the consequences

Trump has long been a master at manufacturing drama. The same cannot be said about his ability to craft good policy.

 

[SNOWFLAKE]

but I do find it hilarious that anti-Trumpers (anti-GOP) folks, crawl all over themselves to demonize the first, and then if he switches gears (like he did), they demonize that too.

Well, in THAT case, let me be the first to NOT play that game and tell you straight up what I think:
Musk is a rich entitled crybaby who thinks Trump owes him something for having done something for Trump, who is himself, a rich entitled crybaby. When two rich entitled crybabies start crying eventually one is going to cry louder than the other.
So, NO, I won't demonize the first and if he switches, demonize that too. I will just demonize them both as complete jackasses, period.

Hope that approach of mine satisfied

 

[Fearandloathing]

Trump has long been a master at manufacturing drama. The same cannot be said about his ability to craft good policy.

The same cannot be said about his ability to craft (any) policy.

Fixed it for you.

To establish policy you have to have at least a trace of humanity in your blood. Trump is a vampire sucking the rest of the world dry

 

[Simpletruther]

'Disgusting abomination': Musk goes nuclear on Trump's 'big beautiful bill'​

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/03/elon-musk-trump-bill-00382653

Elon Musk came out swinging against President Donald Trump's "big beautiful bill" on Tuesday, slamming the reconciliation package as a "disgusting abomination" in a massive break from the president just days after stepping away from his role in the administration.

"I'm sorry, but I just can't stand it anymore," Musk wrote on his social media platform X. "This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it."

Musk, who Trump had tapped to lead the federal expense-slashing Department of Government Efficiency, went on to criticize the bill for setting up Congress to "increase the already gigantic budget deficit to $2.5 trillion (!!!)" and saddle Americans with "crushingly unsustainable debt."
____________________________________________________
This is precisely what democrats have been saying every day since republicans came out with their budget bill. Republicans have always increased the national debt, and always done the same way, by massive tax cuts for the rich. Historically, it's always democrats that have always reduced the deficits that have been run up by reckless republican presidents and Congress.
View attachment 67572844

Bad news for America.
But it will serve Trump will it'll keep the economy Trucking along and make him look good no surprise that's what they all do they don't care about the actual country they care about short-term results

 

[Pound4abrown]

I am not going to read much into this. I know he is upset about some of the things that aren't in the bill that would have directly benefited him, like his hand-picked NASA director, and the Starlink stuff and the EV rebates.

That said, I can't wait to watch MAGA fall all over themselves about how much they hate him.

 

[VanceMack]

Starving Third World kids is a bizarre way to go about that.

Perhaps if the retarded left hadnt filled the USAID program with idiotic programs like pro trans puppets shows in Moldova and if the rat party hadnt used the program to funnel billions into the bank accounts of their supporters, the few good programs wouldnt have been impacted at all. Of course...the fact that the State Department IS still reviewing and passing legitimate funding doesnt matter to you. As long as you can swallow and regurgitate the leftists lies, you will always be happy.

Meanwhile...36 trillion in debt and counting....

 

[Pound4abrown]

Or maybe he really wanted to find and eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse ...

only if it then went directly into his pocket via the Starlink contract he wanted, and taking over of the FAA and being paid to upgrade the systems.

 

[Greenbeard]

Perhaps if the retarded left hadnt filled the USAID program with idiotic programs like pro trans puppets shows in Moldova and if the rat party hadnt used the program to funnel billions into the bank accounts of their supporters, the few good programs wouldnt have been impacted at all. Of course...the fact that the State Department IS still reviewing and passing legitimate funding doesnt matter to you. As long as you can swallow and regurgitate the leftists lies, you will always be happy.

Meanwhile...36 trillion in debt and counting....

Starving kids to make a point about puppet shows is insane.