Billionaire Elon Musk has renewed his criticisms of United States President Donald Trump’s signature budget bill, calling it a “disgusting abomination” in a series of social media posts. Musk expressed his opposition to the legislation, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, stating, “I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination.” He added, “Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.”
Musk’s opposition stems from the bill’s proposed spending and tax cuts, which he believes would balloon the US national debt. “It will massively increase the already gigantic budget deficit to $2.5 trillion and burden America citizens with crushingly unsustainable debt,” Musk said. He further emphasized, “Congress is making America bankrupt.”
The bill aims to extend tax cuts established in 2017, during Trump’s first term, and allocate more funds to the administration’s priorities, including $46.5 billion for constructing barriers at the US-Mexico border. However, critics argue that this would lift the cap on the national debt by $4 trillion and limit access to social safety-net programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the bill would result in a $698 billion reduction in Medicaid subsidies and $267 billion less in funding for SNAP. These trade-offs have sparked concern among Democrats and some Republicans, who fear that constituents may lose access to vital government services.
Republican Discord
The bill has also faced criticism from some Republican lawmakers, including Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, who voiced his support for Musk’s dissent against the bill. “I agree with Elon. We have both seen the massive waste in government spending and we know another $5 trillion in debt is a huge mistake,” Paul wrote. “We can and must do better.” Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky also chimed in, applauding Musk for his frank criticism and stating, “He’s right.”
Trump’s Response
President Trump, however, has defended his budget bill, calling it a “WINNER” and a “BIG GROWTH BILL.” He lashed out against Senator Paul on social media, saying, “Rand votes NO on everything, but never has any practical or constructive ideas. His ideas are actually crazy (losers!). The people of Kentucky can’t stand him.”
Musk’s Departure from Trump Administration
Musk’s criticisms come days after he left his post in the Trump administration, where he helped lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). In his farewell, Trump presented Musk with a decorative key to the White House, crediting him with ushering in “a colossal change in the old ways of doing business in Washington.” Despite their apparent rift over the budget bill, the Trump administration has downplayed reports of tensions between the two men.