Elon Musk has intensified his criticism of President Trump’s sweeping tax and spending bill, denouncing it as a “disgusting abomination” in a post on his social platform X. He expressed open frustration with lawmakers who backed the legislation, calling them out directly. Musk wrote that he could no longer tolerate what he described as a massive, pork-laden bill pushed through Congress, and accused those who supported it of knowingly doing wrong.
The legislation in question, dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” builds on Trump’s 2017 tax overhaul by extending its provisions and allocating increased funding for border security and defense. At the same time, it introduces significant reductions in social safety net programs, including Medicaid and food assistance. The bill passed the House in May and is now under review in the Senate, where some revisions are expected.
Musk’s criticism comes just days after he publicly distanced himself from the Trump administration’s current agenda, following his departure from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which he led. In a recent interview, Musk suggested that the bill undermines much of the work DOGE had accomplished, particularly in reducing bureaucratic waste and trimming government spending.
His remarks prompted a direct response from House Speaker Mike Johnson, who appeared on multiple news outlets to defend the bill. Johnson revealed he had sent Musk a detailed message explaining the legislation and clarifying that it was not a traditional government spending package. Instead, the bill is being pushed through using the reconciliation process, which allows Republicans to bypass a Senate filibuster and move forward without Democratic support.
Johnson also reiterated the GOP’s plan to introduce a separate $9.4 billion measure to lock in the DOGE-related cuts, particularly targeting foreign aid and public broadcasting. The White House is forwarding that secondary package to the Senate for consideration this week.
Musk’s vocal disapproval adds pressure to an already tense debate, exposing divisions not only between parties but also within Trump’s broader circle of allies. His sharp words may complicate efforts to unite conservatives around a bill that has drawn criticism for its impact on vulnerable Americans and its apparent contradiction of earlier government efficiency promises.