Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has fiercely criticized a sweeping tax and spending bill championed by President Donald Trump, branding it a “disgusting abomination” and accusing lawmakers of fiscal recklessness. In a blunt post on X (formerly Twitter), Musk said the bill is “pork-filled” and warned it would dangerously increase the federal deficit. His remarks came just days after stepping down from his formal role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency under Trump’s administration.
The controversial bill, formally titled the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” recently passed the House of Representatives by a single vote. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the bill would extend the 2017 tax cuts and add $3.8 trillion to the already staggering $36.2 trillion national debt. Despite Musk’s criticism, Senate Republicans, who currently hold the majority, are preparing to pass the legislation next month, although revisions are expected.
Key Republican leaders pushed back on Musk’s claims. House Speaker Mike Johnson called Musk’s assessment “terribly wrong,” while Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed hope Musk would change his stance after further review. However, dissent is growing within GOP ranks. Notably, Representatives Thomas Massie and Warren Davidson, who voted against the bill, voiced their support for Musk’s position online, with Davidson dubbing Musk’s post “The Big Beautiful Tweet.”
Musk, who led a high-profile but ultimately unsuccessful effort to overhaul government spending as a special employee, argues the bill undermines that mission. He claimed the legislation would drive the deficit up to $2.5 trillion and impose unsustainable financial burdens on American citizens. Musk’s sharp criticism has added fuel to an already heated intra-party debate over the GOP’s fiscal direction.
While Trump has dismissed Musk’s remarks, the White House downplayed the controversy. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president was aware of Musk’s views but remained committed to the bill. “This is one big, beautiful bill, and he’s sticking to it,” she said. Meanwhile, the Senate faces increasing pressure from both sides—fiscally conservative Republicans and vocal critics like Musk—as it moves closer to a decisive vote.
Source: Business Day