Elon Musk Slams Trump’s Tax Bill, Sparks Republican Infighting

Elon Musk has strongly criticized President Donald Trump’s massive tax and spending bill, calling it a “disgusting abomination” and expressing that he “can’t stand” it. Musk’s remarks come just days after his abrupt departure from the Trump administration, where he led a team called Doge that focused on cost-cutting measures. His statements mark his most direct confrontation with Trump’s economic policy since his exit on May 31.

The legislation, already passed by the House in May, offers enormous tax breaks, increased military funding, and a significant raise to the U.S. debt ceiling—up to $4 trillion. Trump praised the bill, dubbing it the “big beautiful bill.” However, experts estimate that the plan could inflate the budget deficit by $600 billion in the next fiscal year alone, a claim that has stirred controversy among both Republicans and Democrats.

In a fiery series of posts on X, Musk condemned the bill’s “outrageous, pork-filled” provisions, accusing it of driving the federal deficit up to $2.5 trillion. He argued it unfairly burdens American citizens with unsustainable debt. In U.S. politics, “pork” typically refers to government spending added to legislation to benefit specific constituencies, something Musk sees as reckless and irresponsible.

The backlash has been swift. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed Trump already knew Musk’s position and stood firmly by the bill. House Speaker Mike Johnson also responded, expressing disappointment in Musk’s comments, especially after a 20-minute phone conversation on Monday in which the bill’s potential impact on Tesla was discussed. Johnson called Musk “terribly wrong” and lamented his criticism.

Within the GOP, tensions are rising. Senator Rand Paul has threatened to oppose the bill if it includes raising the debt ceiling, warning Republicans that supporting it would make them responsible for the mounting national debt. Trump didn’t hold back, firing off insults on social media and claiming Paul “has very little understanding of the bill,” adding that Kentucky voters no longer support him.

Interestingly, some Democrats welcomed Musk’s unexpected opposition. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said even someone like Musk, who has been closely involved in the Trump process, sees the bill as deeply flawed. With a July 4 deadline to pass the bill, the GOP faces internal strife, mounting criticism, and a growing public backlash—making the road to passage increasingly uncertain.