Elon Musk has launched a scathing attack on President Donald Trump’s flagship tax and spending proposal, branding it a “disgusting abomination” and warning it could lead to America’s financial collapse. The legislation—formally titled the One Big Beautiful Bill Act—seeks to extend the 2017 tax cuts, pour billions into military and border security, and raise the federal borrowing cap, adding an estimated $3.8 trillion to the already staggering $36.2 trillion national debt. Elon Musk’s public break with Trump, a leader he once advised and supported with over $250 million in campaign donations, signals deepening divisions within Republican ranks as the bill heads to a contentious Senate showdown.
Elon Musk’s Fiscal Fury: ‘Outrageous, Pork-Filled’ and Dangerous
In a flurry of posts on X, Elon Musk did not mince words, accusing lawmakers who backed the bill of betraying American taxpayers. “Shame on those who voted for it,” Musk wrote, calling the legislation an “outrageous, pork-filled” disaster that would drive the federal budget deficit to an eye-watering $2.5 trillion in the next fiscal year.
Elon Musk warned that the plan not only saddles future generations with “crushingly unsustainable debt” but also marks a catastrophic failure of fiscal responsibility. He lambasted what he described as “reckless borrowing” and accused Trump and congressional Republicans of prioritizing political spectacle over sound economic governance.
Electric Vehicles and Climate Incentives Gutted
A key flashpoint for Musk was the bill’s repeal of electric vehicle tax credits—an area where Tesla, his company, has historically benefited. Under the Inflation Reduction Act passed during the Biden administration, buyers could receive up to $7,500 in EV credits. The new bill eliminates these incentives entirely.
“The removal of these credits is a direct hit to America’s clean energy future,” Elon Musk said, underscoring the contradiction between Republican rhetoric on innovation and their legislative actions. Insiders also noted Musk’s private frustrations that the bill included no room for expanded federal partnerships with Starlink, which he hoped would support FAA air traffic control upgrades.
White House and GOP Leadership Push Back
Despite Musk’s criticism, President Trump and senior Republican leaders remain unwavering. “This is one, big, beautiful bill,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, dismissing the tech billionaire’s complaints as misguided. Speaker Mike Johnson, who guided the bill through the House, called Musk “terribly wrong” and insisted the measure was a vital cornerstone of Trump’s second-term agenda.
Johnson revealed he had a 20-minute phone conversation with Musk about the bill shortly before the latter’s public outburst. “I deeply regret he’s made this mistake,” Johnson said, acknowledging that the loss of EV credits might hurt Tesla but insisting that national priorities come first.
Internal GOP Discord: Rand Paul, Fiscal Hawks Revolt
Elon Musk’s comments have amplified existing fractures within the GOP, particularly among fiscal conservatives. Kentucky Senator Rand Paul declared he would oppose any legislation that raises the debt ceiling, warning, “The GOP will own the debt once they vote for this.”
Trump hit back with characteristic bluntness, accusing Paul of having “very little understanding of the bill” and claiming that “the people of Kentucky can’t stand him.” But the rift is real—many Republican senators remain uneasy with the bill’s fiscal impact and are pushing for substantial amendments before lending their support in the upper chamber
Democrats Seize on Musk’s Critique as Leverage
Democratic leaders wasted no time highlighting Musk’s condemnation as proof of the bill’s flaws. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said, “Even Elon Musk, who’s been part of the whole process and one of Trump’s buddies, said the bill is bad. We can imagine how bad this bill is.”
Although many Democrats have been critical of Musk in the past, particularly regarding his leadership of the cost-cutting task force “Doge,” they are now citing his remarks to galvanize opposition and pressure moderate Republicans in the Senate to reject the bill or demand sweeping revisions
Political Fallout and What Comes Next
As the One Big Beautiful Bill Act enters the Senate, Trump faces growing pressure to appease both fiscal hawks and big-ticket donors like Musk. In a bid to win back critics, Trump has proposed an additional $9.4 billion in spending cuts—targeting USAID, NPR, PBS, and other programs unpopular with his base.
But for Musk, the damage may already be done. “In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people,” he warned, hinting at financial consequences for GOP lawmakers who ignore his warnings. Whether that threat reshapes the political landscape—or further isolates him from Trump’s orbit—remains to be seen.
Senate Showdown Looms Amid July 4 Deadline
With a self-imposed July 4 deadline to pass the legislation, the Senate now becomes the battleground. Republican leaders are forging ahead, but resistance is mounting, and calls for amendments are growing louder.
The outcome could redefine Trump’s economic legacy and reshape his relationship with one of his most prominent private-sector allies. For now, the once-close alliance between the President and the world’s richest man hangs in the balance—threatened by fiscal discord, policy reversals, and political ambition.
