Trump admin live updates: Trump says Musk will 'pay the consequences' if he funds Democrats

President Donald Trump was asked on Thursday about Elon Musk's relentless criticism of his massive tax and immigration bill. Musk argues the bill would undermine the goal of DOGE to cut government spending and reduce the deficit.

"He hasn't said anything about me that's bad. I'd rather have him criticize me than the bill," Trump said. "Because the bill is incredible."

Trump went on to claim Musk was "upset" because electric vehicle mandates are not in the legislation.

"Remember, he was here for a long time. You saw a man who was very happy when he stood behind the Oval desk and even with the black eye. I said, 'Do you want a little makeup? We'll get you a little makeup.' But he said, 'No, I don't think so,' which was interesting and very nice, he wants to be who he is. So you could make that statement too, I guess."

"Look, Elon and I had a great relationship. I don't know if we will anymore," Trump said. He went on to say he was "very disappointed" in Musk.

President Donald Trump brought up his criticism about former President Joe Biden and the alleged use of an autopen to sign documents.

The president called it "the biggest scandal" of the last many years. Trump claimed he could tell it was an autopen. He said whoever was using it, it was illegal.

"Whoever used the autopen was the president," he added.

President Donald Trump commented further on his long-awaited call with Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier Thursday on trade.

Trump said he believed they "straightened out any complexity" regarding the agreement reached by top officials in Geneva last month. Over the past week, both the U.S. and China accused the other of violating the terms of the deal.

"I think we're in very good shape with China and the trade deal," Trump said. "We have a trade deal with China, as you know, but we were straightening out some of the points having to do mostly with rare earths, magnets and some other things."

President Donald Trump was asked if he spoke with Xi Jinping about allowing Chinese students to attend American schools.

The president said he wanted Chinese students as well as other international students to come to the U.S., but under more scrutiny.

"We want to have foreign students, but they have to be checked," he said.

Trump claimed Harvard did not give the administration its list of international students, but added that they are "starting to behave."