WASHINGTON — Elon Musk publicly rebuked President Donald Trump’s marquee tax-and-spending proposal Tuesday, calling the legislation a “disgusting abomination” and igniting a rare confrontation between the tech billionaire and Republican leadership over the party’s core legislative priority.
Musk, who recently concluded his tenure as head of the Department of Government Efficiency under Trump, unleashed the blistering critique on his social media platform X, just days after receiving an Oval Office send-off from the president.
“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.”
The legislation, which passed the House and is under debate in the Senate, would renew and expand Trump-era tax cuts while cutting federal subsidies, including those supporting electric vehicles — a move that directly threatens Tesla, Musk’s flagship company.
In another post, Musk warned, “In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people.”
Musk’s broadside marks a striking departure from his previous support for Trump and Republican candidates. He reportedly spent over $250 million backing Trump’s re-election last year and had vowed to unseat GOP lawmakers disloyal to the president. Now, he’s threatening to turn on Republicans who push forward Trump’s fiscal agenda.
Still, Musk has indicated he may scale back political contributions moving forward. “I’ll spend a lot less,” he recently told a tech conference, though he added, “unless I see a reason.”
Musk’s business interests are likely fueling his outrage. The proposed legislation slashes funding for electric vehicles and green technology initiatives — sectors crucial to Tesla’s long-term growth. Additionally, the bill would enact new budget caps, raising concerns about future defense spending that could impact SpaceX, Musk’s other major venture with deep Pentagon ties.
The bill aims to extend tax cuts passed in 2017 and add more — a centerpiece of Trump’s 2025 platform — while committing $350 billion to border security, deportation efforts, and national defense. To help offset the cost, Republicans propose work requirements for recipients of safety net programs like Medicaid and SNAP.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune faces mounting pressure as the July 4 deadline to deliver Trump a legislative victory draws closer. With a narrow 53-seat GOP majority, any fracture within the party could derail the bill.
Musk’s comments have emboldened fiscally conservative senators. “We can and must do better,” Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky posted on X. Sen. Mike Lee of Utah called federal spending “excessive” and blamed it for inflation and government overreach.
However, GOP strategists downplayed Musk’s long-term influence. “It’s not helpful,” said Republican adviser Alex Conant, “but in the end, Senate Republicans are not going to side with Musk over Trump.”
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia echoed that sentiment. “No matter what Elon Musk or anybody else says, it’s still going to be second fiddle to President Trump,” she said.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt brushed aside the controversy, stating, “The president already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill. His post doesn’t change the president’s opinion.”
Democrats were quick to capitalize on the GOP’s internal tensions. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stood beside a poster-sized copy of Musk’s X post during a Capitol Hill press conference, declaring, “We’re in complete agreement.”
Democrats are fiercely opposing the bill’s proposed cuts to Medicaid, food assistance, and renewable energy investments, framing the GOP plan as a $4.5 trillion giveaway to the wealthy at the expense of vulnerable Americans.
Musk’s involvement in legislative fights is not new. During last year’s budget standoff, he posted repeatedly against a bipartisan spending deal, prompting Trump to eventually side with him and pressure GOP lawmakers to walk away from the agreement.
Now, with his fortunes potentially on the line, Musk has returned to the political battlefield — but this time, he’s taking aim at the very president he helped reelect.
