Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and former Trump administration adviser, has publicly condemned President Donald Trump’s 2025 budget proposal, branding it a “disgusting abomination” that undermines efforts to curb government spending. The sharp criticism, voiced on 3 June 2025, marks a significant rift between Musk and the president he once supported, highlighting tensions within the Republican Party over fiscal policy. Musk’s remarks, delivered through an interview with CBS Sunday Morning and amplified on his social media platform X, centre on the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” a sprawling tax and spending package that passed the US House of Representatives by a single vote.
Musk’s primary grievance is the bill’s projected impact on the federal deficit, estimated to balloon by $2.3 to $3.8 trillion over the next decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office. As the former head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk spearheaded efforts to slash federal spending, claiming savings of $175 billion, though these figures remain unverified. He argued that the bill, which includes tax cuts, increased defence spending, and funding for border security, contradicts DOGE’s mission to reduce waste. “I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it,” Musk told CBS, adding with a quip, “I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful, but I don’t know if it can be both.”
The criticism comes at a critical juncture as the bill faces scrutiny in the Senate, where fiscal conservatives like Senators Ron Johnson and Rand Paul echo Musk’s concerns, demanding deeper cuts to offset the deficit. The legislation, a cornerstone of Trump’s domestic agenda, extends tax breaks from his first term, funds mass deportation initiatives, and raises the debt ceiling to $40 trillion. However, it also cuts $1 trillion from social programmes like Medicaid and food stamps, a move Musk has not directly addressed but which has sparked controversy. Trump, responding to Musk’s remarks on 28 May, acknowledged dissatisfaction with parts of the bill but defended its necessity, stating, “We had to get it through the House,” and emphasising the need for broad support.
Musk’s outspoken critique has ignited a firestorm, with his threat on X to back challengers to Republicans who supported the bill deepening party divisions. Supporters on X laud his push for fiscal discipline, while Trump loyalists argue the bill is essential for economic growth. With his recent exit from DOGE and Tesla’s financial struggles, Musk’s influence remains potent but divisive. As the Senate debates the budget’s fate, his stance may galvanise opposition, potentially forcing revisions. The clash reveals a deeper struggle over America’s fiscal path, with Musk’s voice amplifying the call for restraint in an era of ambitious spending.
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