Tech billionaire Elon Musk has publicly denounced President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and spending bill, calling it a “disgusting abomination” that will balloon the U.S. budget deficit and burden Americans with “crushing, unsustainable debt.” The sharp criticism marks a growing rift between Musk and Trump, despite Musk’s previous support for the administration.
Musk’s Scathing Critique
In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Musk lambasted the bill which includes massive tax cuts, increased defense spending, and an extension of Trump-era tax policies as “outrageous, pork-filled” legislation that could “massively increase the already gigantic budget deficit to $2.5 trillion.”
“Shame on those who voted for it,” Musk wrote, hinting at a political reckoning in the 2026 midterms. “In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people.”
The bill, which Trump has dubbed the “big beautiful bill,” passed the House last month and is now under Senate review. Analysts estimate it could add $600 billion to the deficit in the next fiscal year alone.
A Falling Out With Trump?
Musk’s criticism comes just days after his abrupt departure from the Trump administration, where he led the Doge cost-cutting team for 129 days. Though Trump praised Musk’s contributions, saying “he will, always, be with us,” the billionaire’s latest remarks signal a clear break.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt downplayed the rift, stating, “The President already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill.” She reiterated Trump’s support, calling it “one, big, beautiful bill.”
Republican Divisions Widen
Musk’s outburst reflects broader GOP tensions over the legislation, which has faced resistance from fiscal conservatives like Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), who opposes raising the debt ceiling. Trump fired back at Paul on social media, calling his stance “crazy” and claiming Kentuckians “can’t stand him.”
Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) defended the bill, telling reporters, “My friend Elon is terribly wrong.” Johnson revealed he had a 20-minute call with Musk, expressing surprise at his opposition especially since the bill phases out electric vehicle tax credits, which could hurt Musk’s company, Tesla.
Democrats Seize on Musk’s Rebuke
Even some Democrats, who have clashed with Musk in the past, welcomed his criticism. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) quipped, “Even Elon Musk, who’s been part of the whole process, said the bill is bad. We can imagine how bad this bill is.”
What’s Next?
Trump and GOP leaders aim to pass the bill by July 4, but with Senate divisions deepening and Musk now openly campaigning against its supporters, the path forward remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, Trump is pushing a separate $9.4 billion spending cut plan derived from DOGE’s work to appease fiscal hawks, targeting foreign aid, USAID, and public broadcasters like NPR and PBS.
As the battle over America’s fiscal future heats up, one thing is clear: Elon Musk is no longer in Trump’s corner and he’s ready to take the fight to Congress.
