In a scathing post on his social media platform X, the former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) leader expressed his frustration with 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."12 His criticism extended to lawmakers who supported the legislation, directly admonishing them with "Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong."3

This public break with the Trump administration came at a particularly awkward moment, as White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was actively defending the bill during a press briefing when Musk's comments went live.4 The billionaire had previously expressed disappointment with the bill in a CBS interview, remarking that "I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful, but I don't know if it can be both."56

The "One Big Beautiful Bill" extends Trump's 2017 tax cuts while introducing several new tax breaks, including the elimination of taxes on tips and overtime pay, raising the child tax credit to $2,500, increasing the SALT deduction cap to $40,000, and providing additional deductions for seniors.12 According to independent analyses, the legislation would significantly impact federal finances, with projections showing it would add between $2.3 trillion and $5 trillion to the deficit over the next decade.34

The Tax Foundation estimates the tax provisions alone would increase the deficit by $3.8 trillion by 2034, while the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget calculates that including interest, the House bill would boost the nation's debt by $3.1 trillion.54 Despite White House claims that the bill "cuts spending, fuels growth," Nobel laureate economists have warned that the legislation would not only add trillions to U.S. debt but also increase inequality.46

The sharp criticism from Musk has emboldened Republican fiscal hawks in the Senate who were already expressing concerns about the legislation's scope and impact. Senator Mike Lee responded to Musk's post by stating "The Senate must make this bill better," while Senator Rand Paul voiced agreement with Musk, noting "We have both seen the massive waste in government spending and we know another $5 trillion in debt is a huge mistake."12

This public break between Musk and the administration highlights growing tensions over fiscal policy. The House narrowly passed the legislation last month by just one vote after weeks of tense negotiations, and the White House has been pushing back against criticism. When confronted with Musk's comments during a press briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded dismissively: "The president already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill. It doesn't change the president's opinion."34 The controversy comes as Trump is pushing for Senate passage before July 4th, though Musk's opposition may complicate this timeline.

The bill now faces significant hurdles in the Senate, where a small but vocal group of fiscal conservatives have threatened to vote against the measure unless substantial changes are made. According to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, the House version would add between $3 trillion and $5 trillion to the national debt over 10 years, even while implementing significant cuts to projected Medicaid spending.1 Key GOP senators have already signaled their intent to modify the legislation, with one point of contention being the debt ceiling increase—the House-passed bill includes a $4 trillion hike, while the Senate's budget blueprint contained a $5 trillion increase.2

Musk's public opposition has strengthened the position of these Senate fiscal hawks at a critical juncture, as the Trump administration pushes for passage before July 4th. The bill passed the House by just one vote last month, highlighting its precarious support even among Republicans.3 The administration has attempted to counter criticism by emphasizing that the legislation "saves more than 1.6 TRILLION in mandatory spending, including the largest-ever welfare reform," according to White House messaging.4