Elon Musk slams Trump's bill as 'disgusting abomination' after exit
Elon Musk criticizes Trump's tax and spending bill, calling it a 'disgusting abomination,' marking a rift after leaving the administration.
Elon Musk has publicly denounced President Donald Trump's sweeping tax and spending bill as a "disgusting abomination," signaling a stark break from his former ally just days after leaving the administration. Musk, who led the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), criticized the legislation for increasing the federal deficit while undermining cost-cutting efforts.
Once a key Trump supporter, Musk spent over $250 million backing the president's 2024 campaign. However, his latest remarks reveal growing dissatisfaction with Republican fiscal policies. In a series of posts on X, Musk called the bill "outrageous" and "pork-filled," warning it would burden Americans with unsustainable debt.
The bill, which passed the House by a single vote, extends Trump's 2017 tax cuts and allocates billions to border security and military spending. Critics, including Musk, argue it will add trillions to the national debt while cutting social programs like Medicaid and food stamps.
While GOP leaders dismissed Musk's criticism, fiscal conservatives like Senators Rand Paul and Mike Lee echoed his concerns. Democrats, meanwhile, seized on the rift, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stating, "I agree with Elon Musk," an admission he called "unimaginable" in normal circumstances.
House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed disappointment, suggesting Musk's stance was influenced by the bill's elimination of electric vehicle tax credits, which affect Tesla. Johnson claimed he had a productive call with Musk just a day before the outburst.
Was joining the Trump administration a mistake?
Musk's tenure in the White House was marked by aggressive cost-cutting measures, but he fell short of his $1 trillion savings goal. His abrupt criticism of Trump's signature bill raises questions about his political alignment and whether his involvement in the administration was misguided.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt downplayed the rift, stating Trump remains committed to the bill. Yet, Musk's public rebuke underscores deepening divisions within the GOP as the Senate prepares to vote on the contentious legislation.
As the 2026 midterms approach, Musk has vowed to oppose politicians who supported the bill, declaring, "We fire all who betrayed the American people." Whether his influence will sway voters remains uncertain, but his latest stance ensures a turbulent path ahead for Trump's agenda.
