Elon Musk criticises Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill,’ calls it a ‘massive spending bill’ as rift over federal spending widens
Washington DC: Elon Musk has voiced strong disapproval of former President Donald Trump’s flagship legislative package, dubbed the “big beautiful bill,” in what marks a notable fracture in a once-close alliance.
The billionaire entrepreneur, who previously supported Trump’s campaign and served as a senior adviser in his administration, told CBS he was “disappointed” with the bill, describing it as a “massive spending bill” that undermines fiscal discipline.
The legislation includes sweeping tax cuts and stricter immigration enforcement, but Musk argued it significantly increases the federal deficit and contradicts the mission of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which he previously headed. “I think a bill can be big or it could be beautiful,” Musk remarked. “But I don’t know if it could be both.”
His criticism comes as he distances himself from government advisory roles and refocuses on his businesses, including Tesla and SpaceX. Musk also signalled a retreat from political donations, saying, “I think I’ve done enough.”
Despite early optimism about reforming Washington, Musk now admits the federal bureaucracy proved far more intractable than he had anticipated. “It’s an uphill battle trying to improve things in D.C.,” he told The Washington Post. His initial goal of cutting $1 trillion in spending through DOGE fell far short.
Musk had once openly praised Trump, even saying, “Frankly, I love him,” while Trump called Musk “a truly great American.” The two worked closely during Trump’s presidency, and Musk even staged Tesla promotions at the White House to support the administration.
Musk’s critique may influence the legislative debate, especially among fiscal conservatives. The bill, which narrowly passed the House, now faces scrutiny in the Senate. House Speaker Mike Johnson has urged senators not to make major changes, citing a “very delicate balance.”
However, Senator Mike Lee of Utah responded favourably to Musk’s comments, saying the Senate version “must be more aggressive” on spending cuts. Meanwhile, House Republicans Warren Davidson and Thomas Massie, who voted against the bill, welcomed the pushback.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill would raise deficits by $3.8 trillion over a decade, partially offset by $1 trillion in spending cuts to social programmes. While House leaders argue economic growth will neutralise the deficit impact, independent groups like the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimate the bill would add $3 trillion to national debt, including interest.
Musk’s public rebuke reflects a broader disillusionment with Washington’s ability to tackle excessive spending, signalling a possible end to one of the more unusual political alliances in recent US history.
(With AFP inputs)