Tensions between Elon Musk and President Donald Trump have erupted, as the Tesla and SpaceX CEO publicly condemned Trump’s signature spending bill on Tuesday. The criticism, shared via Musk’s platform X, marks a sharp departure from the cordial tone that accompanied Musk’s recent departure from his White House advisory role atop the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
“This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination,” Musk wrote, slamming the legislation for piling unsustainable debt onto American taxpayers. His remarks, among his harshest yet toward Trump’s administration, come just days after stepping down from his post, which had been created to slash federal spending.
The bill in question is projected to add $3 trillion to the U.S. deficit over the next decade, despite sweeping cuts to health, food aid, public broadcasting, and foreign assistance programs. While Trump has touted it as the “single biggest Spending Cut in History,” critics argue that the bill prioritizes defense and private sector partnerships, including some that reportedly exclude Musk’s interests.
Musk’s frustration appears to stem not only from fiscal policy but also from unmet expectations. Despite donating nearly $300 million to Trump’s 2024 campaign, Musk’s proposals—such as using his Starlink system for air traffic control and extending his term beyond its legal limit—were rebuffed. Axios also reported Trump rescinded the nomination of Musk ally Jared Isaacman as NASA chief, further souring relations.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt downplayed the fallout, saying Trump “already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill.” Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson called Musk’s comments “disappointing,” adding that he believed Musk had supported the bill during prior briefings.
As DOGE’s reported savings fall dramatically short of its initial $2 trillion target—landing at just $180 billion, a figure many fact-checkers contest—the relationship between the tech magnate and the former president faces new strain. Senate Democrats have also released a report alleging Musk benefited from “unethical or potentially corrupt” administration actions worth up to $100 billion.
What was once a powerful alliance is now showing cracks, with Musk emerging as a high-profile critic of Trump’s economic direction.
