Tech mogul Elon Musk has openly criticized the sweeping tax and spending bill recently approved by the U.S. House of Representatives, highlighting a growing rift between himself and former President Donald Trump. Musk, who once played a key role in Trump’s 2024 re-election campaign, expressed strong objections to the legislation, calling it a disappointment that worsens the federal budget deficit.
The bill, passed narrowly by the House last week, includes significant tax cuts alongside a sharp increase in defense spending. It now moves to the Senate for further consideration. Musk, in a televised interview with a major American broadcaster, said the proposal runs counter to his efforts to enforce spending discipline in the federal government.
“I felt very disappointed when I saw that massive spending proposal,” Musk stated. He warned that rather than reducing expenses, the bill will add roughly $600 billion to the national deficit over the next fiscal year. Musk also criticized the bill for undermining the progress of the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), where he served as lead advisor. According to Musk, Doge aimed to cut foreign aid and eliminate wasteful federal programs.
“This bill rolls back everything the Doge team accomplished,” Musk said, adding, “A bill may be big or appealing, but I don’t believe it can be both.”
Musk’s critique intensified ongoing debates within the Republican Party, which is increasingly divided over fiscal policy. The narrow passage of the bill in the House reflects resistance from factions concerned about the rising deficit and government spending. Trump praised the legislation as a “big, beautiful bill” in the Oval Office but did not respond directly to Musk’s remarks.
The legislation proposes extending the 2017 tax cuts, increasing military funding, supporting mass deportations, and raising the federal debt ceiling to $4 trillion. Musk’s opposition marks a clear distancing from Trump, despite having donated over $250 million to Trump’s campaign and previously leading efforts to cut $1 trillion from government spending through layoffs and contract cancellations.
While Doge claims to have saved $175 billion, external analysts question the verifiability of this figure. Musk recently announced plans to reduce political contributions and focus on leading Tesla for at least five more years. His leadership at Doge drew criticism and reportedly harmed Tesla’s public image, triggering protests and declining sales.
“I took the actions that were necessary,” Musk defended his controversial role. Both Musk and Trump have maintained that their spending cuts targeted corruption and inefficiency in federal programs.
This growing tension between Musk and Trump signals a significant shift in the relationship between one of the tech sector’s most influential figures and a former U.S. president. The debate over fiscal responsibility and government spending will continue to shape Republican politics in the coming months.