In a recent series of posts on X, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk expressed his strong disapproval of a significant spending bill that supports President Donald Trump's legislative agenda. Just days after initially criticizing the bill, Musk referred to it as a "disgusting abomination" and expressed his frustration with Congress's spending practices.
Musk's dissatisfaction with the House-passed bill was evident when he stated, "I'm sorry, but I just can't stand it anymore. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination." He went on to accuse lawmakers of wrongdoing, saying, "Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it."
In a follow-up post, Musk warned that the bill could significantly exacerbate the budget deficit, potentially reaching a staggering $2.5 trillion. He voiced concerns about the implications for American citizens, stating that the bill would burden them with "crushingly unsustainable debt." Musk further claimed that Congress is effectively "making America bankrupt."
The legislation, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, aims to extend Trump's tax cuts from 2017 while increasing funding for the military and border security. However, it proposes cuts to essential programs like Medicaid and SNAP, which provide critical assistance to many Americans. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the bill is projected to add approximately $3.8 trillion to the existing $36.2 trillion federal debt over the next decade.
As negotiations continue in the Senate, President Trump is actively engaging with senators to push for the passage of his sweeping agenda. Despite Musk's scathing criticism, House Speaker Mike Johnson defended the bill, labeling Musk's remarks as "terribly wrong." Johnson expressed disappointment at Musk's stance, asserting that it was "dangerous" for influential figures like Musk to interfere with economic matters.
When questioned about Musk's comments, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt downplayed the billionaire's criticism, stating, "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."
Earlier, during an interview with CBS News, Musk had articulated his disappointment with the bill’s spending, which he felt would increase the budget deficit rather than decrease it. He remarked, "I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing."
Following his criticism, Musk announced his decision to leave his position as a special government employee overseeing the Department of Government Efficiency. His departure came after a cordial news conference with Trump, where they discussed Musk's contributions without delving into the bill's contentious nature.
Despite Musk's reservations, President Trump praised the spending bill, calling it "an unbelievable bill" that effectively cuts deficits. He acknowledged there were areas for improvement, stating, "I'd like to see a bigger cut in taxes."
The debate surrounding the One Big Beautiful Bill Act continues to unfold as key figures voice their opinions on its potential impact on the U.S. economy and its citizens.
