Elon Musk calls Trump’s tax and spending bill a ‘disgusting abomination’
In a post on X on Tuesday, Musk wrote, "Shame on those who voted for it."
Elon Musk has criticised Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill, calling it a "disgusting abomination" and warning that it will drive up the budget deficit and pile unsustainable debt on Americans.
The bill, which was passed by the House of Representatives in May, includes large tax breaks, increased defence spending, and raises the government’s borrowing limit.
In a post on X on Tuesday, Musk wrote, "Shame on those who voted for it."
This is Musk’s first public fallout with Trump since leaving the administration on 31 May, after 129 days leading a cost-cutting team known as Doge.
Trump has since said Musk "will, always, be with us, helping all the way."
Musk, who once described the plan as "disappointing," stepped up his criticism in a series of posts, saying the "outrageous, pork-filled" bill will "massively increase the already gigantic budget deficit to $2.5 trillion (!!!) and burden America [sic] citizens with crushingly unsustainable debt."
In US politics, "pork" refers to spending directed at lawmakers’ home areas.
He also warned politicians who support the bill, posting, "In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people."
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded, saying, "The President already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill," and added, "This is one, big, beautiful bill. And he's sticking to it."
The bill extends tax cuts from Trump’s first term, boosts defence spending, funds mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, and proposes raising the debt ceiling to $4 trillion.
Musk’s remarks highlight growing tensions within the Republican Party.
The bill has already triggered pushback from some Republicans, including Senator Rand Paul, who said he would not support it if it includes raising the debt ceiling
"The GOP will own the debt once they vote for this," he told CBS News.
Trump fired back, accusing Paul of having "very little understanding of the bill" and said "the people of Kentucky can’t stand him."
Republican leaders dismissed Musk’s criticism. Senate majority leader John Thune said the party would "proceed full speed ahead" despite "a difference of opinion."
House Speaker Mike Johnson said Musk was "terribly wrong," adding, "It’s a very important first start. Elon is missing it."
Johnson also revealed that he had a 20-minute call with Musk about the bill on Monday, and suggested Tesla could be affected by the phasing out of electric vehicle tax credits.
"I lament that," Johnson said. "I just deeply regret he’s made this mistake."
Reports by Axios suggest Musk was also unhappy about the Federal Aviation Administration’s decision to deny using Starlink for air traffic control, citing technical issues and possible conflict of interest.
Some Democrats welcomed Musk’s comments.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said, "Even Elon Musk, who's been part of the whole process, and is one of Trump’s buddies, said the bill is bad. We can imagine how bad this bill is."
Trump and Republicans aim to pass the bill and have it signed into law by 4 July. To win over budget-conscious lawmakers, Trump has proposed cutting $9 billion in current spending, a move reportedly based on the work done by Doge.
