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By Amanda Castro
Associate News Editor
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Elon Musk launched a scathing attack on President Donald Trump's marquee spending proposal Tuesday, calling the so-called "big, beautiful bill" a "disgusting abomination" in a series of posts on X. Musk, who leads the White House's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) office, said the bill is packed with "outrageous pork" and accused lawmakers of knowingly voting for legislation that would balloon the federal deficit.
The comments were posted just as White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt held a press briefing. She dismissed Musk's earlier remarks to CBS about his disapproval of the bill, saying, "The president already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill." The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates the legislation would add $2.5 trillion to the deficit over the next decade.
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Why It Matters
Musk's public rebuke marks a rare and obvious break with the Trump administration's legislative agenda. His opposition complicates GOP efforts to unify support behind the spending bill. His criticism also raises questions about the direction of federal budget policy and the credibility of cost-cutting efforts led by DOGE.
The controversy could deepen divisions within the Republican Party, as fiscal conservatives weigh the political risk of crossing Trump against mounting concerns over national debt.
What To Know
In a string of posts, Musk didn't mince words. "I'm sorry, but I just can't stand it anymore," he 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."
According to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, the proposed legislation would increase the federal deficit by $2.5 trillion over 10 years, largely due to tax cut extensions and campaign pledges such as eliminating taxes on tips.
"Congress is making America bankrupt," Musk wrote, warning that the bill will leave American taxpayers saddled with "crushingly unsustainable debt."
The attack significantly departs from Musk's previous alignment with Trump's economic messaging. In an interview clip with CBS, Musk criticized the bill's deficit expansion and its contradiction with DOGE's goals.
Musk previously estimated DOGE would save $2 trillion in federal spending. It has achieved $160 billion in cuts and eliminated 20,000 federal jobs—roughly 1 percent of the workforce.
Facing investor pressure, Musk said he would scale back his political involvement and focus more on Tesla. "I think I've done enough," he told Bloomberg.
What People Are Saying
Fox News' Peter Doocy to Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt during today's press briefing: "How mad do you think President Trump is going to be when he finds out that Elon Musk said, 'I'm sorry, but I just can't stand it anymore. 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.'"
Leavitt said in response: "Look, the president already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill. It doesn't change the president's opinion. This is one big, beautiful bill, and he's sticking to it."
Rep. Warren Davidson took note of Musk's comments on social media last week, reposting his CBS interview and saying on X: "Hopefully, the Senate will succeed with the Big Beautiful Bill where the House missed the moment. "Don't hope someone else will cut deficits someday, know it has been done this Congress."
Rep. Thomas Massie in a tweet this afternoon in reference to Musk's comments: "He's right."
What Happens Next
The bill now heads to the Senate. Republican leaders aim to send the legislation to Trump's desk by July 4.
Update 06/03/25 2:41 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 06/03/25 3:16 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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