Musk blasts Trump's signature bill as "disgusting abomination"
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Elon Musk unloaded on President Trump's signature tax-and-spending bill Tuesday, declaring that he could no longer stay silent on what he called a "disgusting abomination."
- "Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it," Musk wrote on X.
Why it matters: Musk's scathing criticism of the "One, Big, Beautiful Bill," passed by the House last month, comes just days after the former head of DOGE departed the Trump administration.
- Musk — Trump's top political donor — said he would remain an informal adviser to the president even after his official work ended.
- The Tesla CEO has long viewed the national debt as an existential threat, but he had only expressed mild criticism — until now — about Trump's deficit-ballooning bill.
What they're saying: "I'm sorry, but I just can't stand it anymore. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination," Musk tweeted.
- "It will massively increase the already gigantic budget deficit to $2.5 trillion (!!!) and burden America[n] citizens with crushingly unsustainable debt," he added.
- "Congress is making America bankrupt."
- Musk added in another X post later Tuesday, "In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people."
The big picture: The Congressional Budget Office and independent analysts have projected that Trump's bill — which extends his 2017 tax cuts — would add between $2.3 trillion and $5 trillion to the deficit over the next 10 years.
- The bill also contains new spending for border security and the military, which Republicans have sought to offset with cuts to Medicaid, food stamps and green-energy tax credits.
- White House officials have vigorously disputed claims that the bill would add to the deficit, arguing that the projections do not account for the high levels of economic growth that tax cuts could unleash.
The other side: "Look, the president already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a briefing Tuesday.
- "It doesn't change the president's opinion — this is one, big beautiful bill, and he is sticking to it."
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) called Musk's comments "very disappointing."
- "With all due respect, my friend Elon is terribly wrong about the One, Big Beautiful Bill," Johnson told reporters, speculating that Musk could be upset about the rollback of electric vehicle tax credits.
- Asked if he's concerned Musk's opposition could help tank the bill, Senate GOP Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said he hopes the billionaire will continue studying the legislation and "come to a different conclusion."
What to watch: The Senate is considering changes to the bill, with Thune sketching out an ambitious timetable for passing a compromise version of the legislation by July 4.
- Several hardline fiscal hawks — including Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) — have allied with Musk in their belief that the bill still needs major spending cuts.
- Trump has viciously attacked Paul and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) for expressing similar views as Musk, but he has yet to publicly comment on his adviser's outspoken criticism.
Editor's note: This article has been updated with more comment from Elon Musk.
