Elon Musk Slams Trump’s Tax and Spending Bill as a “Disgusting Abomination”

Washington — Tech billionaire Elon Musk has sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s signature tax and spending bill, calling it a “disgusting abomination” that will balloon the US budget deficit and saddle Americans with overwhelming debt. Musk’s comments mark a significant public rift with the former president, coming shortly after Musk’s sudden departure from the Trump administration.

The bill, backed by Trump and passed by the House of Representatives last month, includes large tax cuts and increased defense spending. It is now under consideration by the Senate. If passed, the legislation would serve as a cornerstone for Trump’s potential second-term agenda.

Musk, who spent 129 days working within the administration’s cost-cutting team known as Doge, expressed outrage on the social media platform X. He warned that the “outrageous, pork-filled” bill would increase the already massive budget deficit to $2.5 trillion and impose “crushingly unsustainable debt” on American citizens. In US political terms, “pork” refers to funding for local projects aimed at appeasing lawmakers’ constituencies.

“Shame on those who voted for it,” Musk wrote, hinting that he plans to campaign against politicians supporting the bill in next year’s midterm elections. “In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people.”

The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, responded by reaffirming the president’s full support for the bill, calling it “one, big, beautiful bill.”

Among the bill’s controversial provisions are extensions of Trump-era tax cuts from 2017, increased defense funding, and financing for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. It also raises the government’s borrowing limit (the debt ceiling) to $4 trillion, a move opposed by fiscal conservatives.

Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky has vowed to oppose the bill if it increases the debt ceiling, sparking further divisions within the Republican Party. Trump responded to Paul’s criticism with personal attacks via social media.

Republican leaders, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson, defended the bill and dismissed Musk’s critiques. Johnson expressed disappointment, noting that Musk’s company Tesla could be affected by the bill’s phase-out of electric vehicle tax credits.

Reports indicate Musk was also frustrated over the bill’s rejection of his proposal to have the Federal Aviation Administration’s air traffic control managed by his Starlink satellite system, citing conflicts of interest and technical issues.

Despite past criticisms of Musk, some Democrats welcomed his outspoken opposition to the bill. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer commented, “Even Elon Musk, who’s been part of the whole process, and is one of Trump’s buddies, said the bill is bad. We can imagine how bad this bill is.”

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The Trump administration aims to pass the legislation by July 4. To appease spending hawks, Trump is simultaneously pushing a separate plan to cut $9.4 billion from current spending, largely targeting foreign aid and public broadcasters.

Musk’s split from the administration and his vocal criticism of the spending bill highlight growing tensions within the Republican Party over fiscal policy and the future direction of Trump’s political agenda.