Elon Musk issued a blistering criticism of the massive Republican bill for President Donald Trump’s agenda Tuesday, posting on X that it is a “disgusting abomination.”
“I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore,” Musk wrote. “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.”
“It will massively increase the already gigantic budget deficit to $2.5 trillion (!!!) and burden American citizens with crushingly unsustainable debt,” added Musk, who left the White House last week.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has said the package would increase the deficit by $2.3 trillion with its tax cuts and spending hikes on immigration enforcement in the military outstripping the savings.
Musk, a top Republican donor during the 2024 elections, doubled down later in the day, posting on X: “In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people.”
A source familiar with the Musk-Trump relationship told NBC News that four issues, which Axios was first to report, were likely behind Musk’s frustration on social media.
The source highlighted the absence of electric vehicle tax credits from the bill, which would benefit Musk’s Tesla customers as one factor, and noted how Musk had been pushing for the Federal Aviation Administration to use his Starlink satellite system in their FAA control systems.
The source also pointed to personnel issues, noting that a nomination for Musk ally Jared Isaacman to serve as NASA administrator had been pulled over the weekend and that Musk himself had hoped to stay on in his special government employee capacity beyond the 130-day period, which the White House ultimately did not accommodate.
Musk, the CEO of Tesla, had previously signaled his disappointment in the legislation, telling CBS News he believed it was a “massive spending bill” that “undermines” the work of his Department of Government Efficiency operation.
The remarks came as an unwelcome surprise to Republicans on Tuesday as the Senate considers changes to the version passed by the House while seeking to placate competing factions internally, including those that want to reduce the red ink.
“We obviously respect everything that Elon did with DOGE. On this particular issue, we have a difference of opinion,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters. “He’s entitled to that opinion, but we’re going to proceed full speed ahead.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said it was “a dangerous thing” for Musk to be “meddling with” the economy, noting that a debt limit hike to avert a default was part of the bill.
“This is the key to the economic resurgence of America. It’s going to be jet fuel for the economy. And the sooner we do it, the better,” Johnson told reporters. “And by the way, the debt ceiling is also revved into this legislation. That is a dangerous thing for Elon or anyone who has who cares about the U.S. economy to be meddling with. And I think the risk is very great.”
Musk’s comments emboldened fiscal hawks like Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., two rare Republicans who have voted against the measure consistently.
Some GOP senators who have supported the measure conceded that there was at least some validity to Musk’s view.
“I think he has a point,” Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said, adding that Musk wasn’t giving enough credit to the “growth” that the tax cuts would bring. “I like Elon Musk, but he’s one man.”
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, told NBC News: “The Senate should make the bill substantially better, and I hope and believe we will do that. There’s no doubt we need to reduce spending more.”
