Elon Musk called President Donald Trump’s signature spending bill “a disgusting abomination” Tuesday, creating a rare public break between the world’s richest man and the president he helped elect.
The Tesla CEO posted his criticism on X just days after leaving his role leading the Department of Government Efficiency at the White House. “I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore,” Musk wrote of the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” that extends Trump’s 2017 tax cuts and boosts military and border spending.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates the legislation would increase the federal deficit by $2.3 trillion over the coming decade.
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Musk’s sharp criticism came as the Senate considers changes to the House-passed bill ahead of a July 4 target for final passage. The public split has given Democrats ammunition against the Republican package while dividing the GOP between Trump loyalists and fiscal conservatives.
“Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it,” Musk posted Tuesday afternoon.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded that “Look, the president already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill. It doesn’t change the president’s opinion. This is one big, beautiful bill and he’s sticking to it.”
Multiple sources of tension
Axios reported Tuesday that four specific issues led to Musk’s escalating frustration with the Trump administration:
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The legislation phases out consumer tax credits for electric vehicles, directly affecting Tesla’s business. Musk had also sought to extend his government role beyond the 130-day limit for special government employees but was rebuffed. He pushed for the Federal Aviation Administration to use his Starlink satellite system for air traffic control, which the administration rejected due to conflict of interest concerns.
The final catalyst, according to Axios, was Trump’s decision Saturday to withdraw the nomination of Jared Isaacman, a Musk ally, as NASA administrator after internal opposition.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., suggested the electric vehicle provisions drove Musk’s opposition. “I know that has an effect on his business,” Johnson said, calling Musk “terribly wrong” about the legislation.
Political impact
Democratic leaders welcomed Musk’s criticism. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer displayed printouts of Musk’s social media posts at a press conference, declaring his agreement with the billionaire.
“Trump’s buddy says the bill is bad — you can imagine how bad this bill is,” Schumer said.
Some Republicans also embraced Musk’s critique. Senator Rand Paul, R-Ky., urged Trump to “take some advice from Elon,” while Representative Thomas Massie, R-Ky., posted “He’s right” in response to Musk’s comments.
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But other GOP leaders dismissed the criticism. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said Republicans “have a difference of opinion” with Musk and will “proceed full speed ahead.”
Johnson warned that Musk’s opposition could affect debt ceiling negotiations included in the package. “And I think the risk is very great,” Johnson said of potential economic consequences.
Musk’s government role
Musk announced last week he was departing his formal government role and returning to the private sector. Trump held a farewell news conference with Musk on Friday where both men praised each other, though Musk remained silent when Trump claimed the bill would “cut deficits.”
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The billionaire had previously criticized the legislation in a CBS interview, saying he was “disappointed” with the spending increases that “undermine the work that the DOGE team is doing.”
Musk was one of Trump’s largest donors during the 2024 campaign and a prominent supporter during his transition back to the White House.
The legislation also includes cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs while providing new money for border security, national defense and support for farmers. Republicans argue the tax cuts will spur economic growth that offsets the deficit impact, while Democrats and some fiscal conservatives dispute those projections.
Trump has not yet responded publicly to Musk’s criticism.
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