Elon Musk isn’t holding back. The billionaire tech mogul just stirred up fresh drama in Washington after slamming former President Donald Trump’s latest tax and spending bill. In a fiery post on his social media platform X, Musk called the bill a “disgusting abomination” and accused lawmakers of wasting public money.
“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 angry message quickly caught the attention of Republican senators, especially those already worried about how expensive the bill really is. The bill, named the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” aims to extend Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, increase military spending, and put more money into border security. But the Congressional Budget Office says it could add a shocking $3.8 trillion to America’s national debt.
The bill narrowly passed the House of Representatives and is now heading to the Senate, where even some Republicans are unsure about it. Many want bigger spending cuts and are concerned about how much it will increase the deficit.
Musk’s criticism adds even more pressure. Though he’s no longer officially working with the government, his influence is still strong. He recently stepped down from a short stint as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), where he tried but failed to cut major government costs. Musk has also donated nearly $300 million to support Trump and Republican campaigns in the past, but says he’s pulling back from politics for now.
Still, some top Republicans aren’t buying his complaints. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the bill is part of their job. “We have a job to do. The American people elected us, and we’re going to deliver,” he said. House Speaker Mike Johnson also brushed off Musk’s concerns, saying, “My friend Elon is wrong.”
But not everyone in the GOP agrees. Senator Mike Lee reposted Musk’s message, calling on Republicans to take real action to reduce government debt. Senator Ron Johnson predicted the Senate won’t meet the goal of passing the bill by July 4, unless more spending cuts are included.
Meanwhile, other Republicans are trying to protect important programs like Medicaid and support for people with disabilities. Senator Jerry Moran emphasized the need to balance budget cuts with care for vulnerable groups. And some lawmakers, like Senator Thom Tillis, suggested delaying some of Trump’s tax break ideas for tips, overtime, and Social Security.
By Lucky Anyanje
