“Shame on those who voted for it,” Musk said in a post on X about the legislative linchpin of Trump’s second-term agenda. In a series of posts on X on Tuesday, Musk said that the “outrageous, pork-filled” spending bill will “massively increase the already gigantic budget deficit to $2.5 trillion (!!!) and burden America [sic] citizens with crushingly unsustainable debt”. He continued: “Congress is making America bankrupt.”
ALSO READ: Donald Trump’s new official portrait released by White House, netizens say ‘this can’t be real’
In American politics “pork” refers to spending on projects in lawmakers’ constituencies. The tech billionaire left the administration abruptly last week after 129 days working to cut costs with his team, known as DOGE.
The comments mark his first public disagreement with Trump since leaving government, after having previously called the plan “disappointing”.
Musk, who had earlier pledged to financially back primary challengers against Republicans opposing Trump’s agenda, issued a pointed political warning in a separate post.”Next November, we vote out every politician who turned their back on the American people,” he declared.ALSO READ: Jeff Bezos’ precautionary measure revealed ahead of his ultra-rich luxurious wedding with Lauren Sanchez
Four reasons Musk attacked Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’
Even though Musk had slammed Trump’s signature ‘big, beautiful bill’ but before Tuesday afternoon his rhetoric had been far more restrained and muted. Two people who have been in communication with Musk and Trump told Axios said the duo remained friends and allies but the President Trump was somewhat irked by Musk’s social media sabotage.
“Elon was butthurt,” one source told Axios. One of the prime reasons why Musk led his caustic attack on Trump’s bill is that the legislation cuts the electric vehicle tax credit that helps car makers like Musk’s Tesla. As of late April, his company had spent at least $240,000 lobbying on behalf of the credit and other company matters. Behind the scenes, sources say, Musk also advocated for the measure in the legislation, but to no avail.
According to Axios, Musk had been serving at the White House in the capacity of a “special government employee,” an unpaid advisory role limited by law to 130 days. He had explored options to extend his tenure beyond that limit, but White House officials ultimately determined he could not continue in the role.
ALSO READ: Canadian wildfire triggers air quality alerts in US but this state issues dire warning for residents. Check details
According to sources familiar with the Axios, Musk also pushed for the Federal Aviation Administration to adopt his Starlink satellite system for national air traffic control. However, the administration rejected the idea, citing both technological concerns and the potential appearance of a conflict of interest. “You can’t have air traffic control just run off satellites,” one source explained. But the breaking point appeared to come on Saturday night, when Trump unexpectedly withdrew the nomination of Jared Isaacman—a known Musk ally—to serve as NASA administrator.
After Jared Isaacman’s name was dropped, words quickly spread in the White House that Sergio Gor- the director of the Office of Presidential Personnel who had clashed with Musk — was behind the decision. “This was Sergio’s out-the-door ‘f**k you’ to Musk,” one White House official told Axios.
However, two administration insiders disputed that claim, stating that senators had raised concerns about Isaacman due to his history as a Democratic donor. According to them, the White House was seeking someone with strong Republican ties instead.
“Perception is reality, though, and I’m pretty sure Elon thought the NASA situation was a last insult,” the White House official said. “So here we are.”
ALSO READ: Trump admin implements controversial hiring process for new federal employees. Here’s what you need to know
What White House said on Musk’s remark
Asked about Musk’s comments soon after the first post, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said “the President already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill”.
“This is one, big, beautiful bill,” she added. “And he’s sticking to it.”
The comments from Musk reflect wider tensions among Republicans over the plan, which faced stiff opposition from different wings of the party as it worked its way through the House.
