On Tuesday (June 3), Elon Musk blasted President Donald Trump for his “big, beautiful bill” of tax breaks and spending cuts. The Tesla CEO called the tax break bill a “disgusting abomination.” His critique comes after stepping away from his Department of Government Efficiency role within the Trump administration. His words, per the Associated Press, target the centerpiece of the Republicans’ legislative agenda. But Trump seems to be unfazed by his former collaborator’s drag!
Elon Musk Didn’t Spare Trump’s Bill With His Comments
Musk shared his sentiments on the tax break bill on his social media platform X. As mentioned, Elon went IN on the bill just days after Donald Trump gave him a celebratory Oval Office farewell for the end of his work with DOGE.
“I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore,” Elon Musk posted on 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.”
The legislation has passed the House and is currently under debate in the Senate. Musk followed his criticism with a threat aimed at Republicans. “In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people,” he wrote in another X post.
In reply to his first post, Musk said the bill will also “massively increase the already gigantic budget deficit to $2.5 trillion (!!!) and burden American citizens with crushingly unsustainable debt.” Another X post from him said, This immense level of overspending will drive America into debt slavery.”
Musk Previously Criticized Tax Break Bill
It’s worth noting that Musk’s business interests stand to take a hit if lawmakers approve Trump’s bill. It would slash funding for electric vehicles and related technologies. Musk is the chief executive of Tesla, the nation’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer, and SpaceX, which has massive defense contracts. Last month, Musk mildly criticized the spending bill, saying he was “disappointed” by it.
For context, the budget package seeks to extend tax cuts that officials approved in 2017 during Trump’s first term at the White House. The bill will also add new cuts that Trump campaigned on. Additionally, it includes a massive buildup of $350 billion for border security, deportations, and national security. Republicans also seek to reduce federal spending by imposing work requirements for some Americans who rely on government safety net services. The move is meant to make up for lost tax revenue to the government and limit additions to the nation’s $36 trillion debt.
These critiques are a sharp shift for Musk. As the world’s richest person, he spent at least $250 million supporting the president’s campaign in 2024. Also, he previously pledged to help defeat Republican lawmakers deemed insufficiently loyal to Donald Trump. Now, he’s suggesting voting them out if they advance the president’s legislative priority. However, whether the tech billionaire will follow through on his criticism is unclear. Musk recently said he would spend “a lot less” on political campaigns. But he did leave the door open to political involvement if he sees “a reason.”
White House Says Trump Knew How Musk Felt About The Bill
Musk’s X posts threw another hurdle before Senate Majority Leader John Thune. He’s tasked with trying to pass the bill in time for Trump to achieve his goal of signing it by July 4. The South Dakota Republican has few votes to spare in the GOP’s slim 53-seat majority.
Two of the Senate’s Republicans have already backed Elon Musk’s sentiments. “We can and must do better,” Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul wrote on X. Additionally, Utah Sen. Mike Lee said “federal spending has become excessive,” adding that it causes inflation and “weaponizes government.” Still, Trump enjoys fierce loyalty among the GOP base. So, in the end, his opinion may be the only one that matters. Meanwhile, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt played down Musk’s criticism.
“The president already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill,” Leavitt said, and Musk’s post “doesn’t change the president’s opinion.”
But some government reps are seemingly delighted by the GOP tension. Democrats, for example, are waging an all-out political assault. They’re targeting GOP proposals that will cut Medicaid, food stamps, and green energy investments to help pay for more than $4.5 trillion in tax cuts.
“We’re in complete agreement,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said of Musk. The New York Democratic lawmaker stood alongside a poster-sized printout of Musk’s post during a Capitol news conference.
Associated Press writers Jonathan J. Cooper, Chris Megerian, Joey Capelletti, and Mary Claire Jalonick contributed to this report via AP Newsroom.
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