A Russian news anchor and a Russian-American political pundit discussed how President Donald Trump's falling out with billionaire Elon Musk would impact Trump's overall influence as President, even going as far as to declare that Trump was "failing".
Host Vladimir Solovyov and former President of the Center for the National Interest Dimitri Simes took to Russian radio show Full Contact on Sunday in order to discuss the developing feud between two of the world's most powerful men.
"Is Trump failing?" Solovyov asked Simes in Russian. "Right before our eyes, he lost a powerful ally that Elon Musk used to be. Having just left his position, Elon Musk started to harshly criticize the Wonderful Big Bill, or whatever Trump calls it."
"You know, of course I don't like this tendency that exists in America," Simes responded. "One day you can be a key player in the administration and the very next day, you start very publicly bashing this administration."
"I thought Musk was not a political figure," Simes continued, commenting on the relationship between Trump and Musk. "He's the richest man in America and maybe in the world. He is responsible for a colossal company where not everything is so simple. Perhaps it would be better if he took a bit of a break and be quiet for a little while after leaving the administration before he started to harshly criticize it."
"Basically, I have to tell you that this wonderful bill, the Big Beautiful Bill, as Trump calls it, contains many contradictions," Simes said, criticizing the Trump-backed GOP tax and spending bill. "It does not control national spending whatsoever. It's unclear how it would be possible to lessen, or at least not to increase the national debt. Trump himself said that the constantly growing national debt threatens America's financial stability, and therefore, America's social stability, because if the government is unable to pay out its obligations, like pensions, it would undermine the stability of the entire American political system."
Musk himself has been a vocal critic of the bill, backed by his Presidential ally. The Tesla CEO's condemnation of the spending bill launched him into a public feud with the 47th President, during which the two repeatedly took to social media to berate each other.
"I'm sorry, but I just can't stand it anymore. 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 posted, triggering a very public falling out with Trump.
© 2025 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
