Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has fiercely criticized President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and spending bill, labeling it a “disgusting abomination” that would significantly increase the federal deficit. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO took to his social media platform X on Tuesday to express his frustration.
“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.”
Musk’s outspoken remarks have resonated with several fiscally conservative Republicans in the U.S. Senate, potentially complicating the bill’s passage. These deficit hawks share concerns about the bill’s cost, which aims to extend the 2017 tax cuts—Trump’s key legislative achievement—while boosting spending on the military and border security.
The House of Representatives narrowly passed the bill by one vote last month after the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office reported that it would add $3.8 trillion to the federal government’s $36.2 trillion debt.
The Senate, also controlled by Republicans, plans to vote on the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” in the coming weeks but is expected to revise the House version. Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee are scheduled to meet with Trump at the White House to discuss making the bill’s business-related tax breaks permanent—a move analysts warn could greatly increase the measure’s cost.
The White House dismissed Musk’s criticism. Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt stated, “The president already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill. It doesn’t change the president’s opinion. This is one big, beautiful bill, and he’s sticking to it.”
Senate Republicans are divided. Deficit hawks like Senator Mike Lee are pushing for deeper spending cuts to reduce the deficit, while others aim to protect programs like Medicaid and investments in green energy. Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate and can afford to lose support from no more than three members if they expect to pass the legislation with a tie-breaking vote from Vice President JD Vance by the July 4 deadline.
Senator Ron Johnson expressed doubts about meeting the deadline and securing sufficient spending cuts. “There’s still a lot of work to be done,” he remarked.
As debates intensify, all eyes are on Congress to see how lawmakers will navigate these fiscal challenges amid mounting pressure from influential figures like Musk and divisions within their ranks.
