Elon Musk denounced US President Donald Trump’s proposed tax and spending bill, calling it a “disgusting abomination” and warning it would leave the country buried under unsustainable debt.
In a series of posts on X, Musk said the legislation would increase the US budget deficit to $2.5 trillion and burden Americans with what he described as “crushingly unsustainable debt.” He also called the bill “outrageous” and “pork-filled,” referring to spending directed at lawmakers’ districts.
Musk urged voters to oust any politician who backs the bill. “In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people.”
The legislation, a central piece of Trump’s second-term agenda, was passed by the House of Representatives last month and is now under review in the Senate.
It includes large tax cuts, expanded defense funding, and new funding for mass deportation efforts. It also proposes to raise the federal debt ceiling to $4 trillion—an issue that has sparked strong pushback from fiscal conservatives.
Musk, who served briefly in the Trump administration as part of a cost-cutting advisory team called the Department of Government Efficiency, better known by its acronym DOGE, left his role on May 31 after 129 days. The recent comments mark his first direct criticism of the president since stepping down. He had previously called the bill “disappointing.”
Despite Musk’s departure, Trump praised him, saying, “he will always be with us, helping all the way.”
Trump has branded the legislation his “big beautiful bill” and received firm backing from party leaders. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president is aware of Musk’s opposition but remains committed. “This is one big, beautiful bill,” she told reporters. “And he’s sticking to it.”
#DonaldTrump vs #ElonMusk: Tech billionaire Musk attacks #Republican tax bill, #WhiteHouse says ‘changes nothing’
Watch for details pic.twitter.com/GIuxhuz8xt
— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) June 4, 2025
However, the proposal has revealed internal tensions within the Republican Party. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky has vowed to vote against the bill if it includes increasing the debt ceiling. “The GOP [the Republican Party] will own the debt once they vote for this,” he told CBS News.
Trump responded by accusing Paul of misunderstanding the bill, saying in a social media post that “people of Kentucky can’t stand him” and calling his ideas “actually crazy.”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the party would press forward. Party plans to “proceed full speed ahead,” he said, acknowledging “a difference of opinion” but stressing that this agenda was central to Republican campaigns.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, who guided the bill through the House, defended the plan and mentioned he spoke with Musk for 20 minutes earlier in the week. He suggested Musk’s criticism may stem from a proposed phaseout of electric vehicle tax credits, which could affect Tesla.
“I lament that,” Johnson said. “I just deeply regret he’s made this mistake.”
American News Website Axios mentioned that Musk was also frustrated after the Federal Aviation Administration denied his proposal to use Starlink for air traffic control, citing technical and ethical concerns.
Some Democrats welcomed Musk’s opposition. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said, “Even Elon Musk, who’s been part of the whole process, and is one of Trump’s buddies, said the bill is bad.”
Republican leaders aim to have the bill signed into law by July 4. To win over fiscal hawks, Trump has also proposed $9.4 billion in spending cuts, mostly targeting foreign aid, USAID, and public broadcasters NPR and PBS.
Musk donated over $250 million to Trump’s campaign during the last election, according to the BBC.
