President Donald Trump is standing firmly behind his proposed tax and spending legislation—what he calls “one big, beautiful bill”—even as Elon Musk openly denounces it as a “disgusting abomination.”
The clash between two of the Republican Party’s most high-profile figures comes as the GOP-led bill advances in Congress, aiming to cement tax cuts and spending priorities ahead of the 2026 budget cycle.
Elon Musk’s explosive criticism
On Tuesday, Musk posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.”
Musk, who recently stepped down as chief of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), claims the bill undercuts the very cost-saving reforms he led over the past two years.
In a previous CBS interview, he said:
“It undermines all the work DOGE did. It’s like they never took it seriously.”
Trump’s response: ‘We need this bill’
Despite Musk’s criticism, Trump and his team aren’t backing down. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reaffirmed the president’s position:
“It doesn’t change the president’s opinion. This is one big, beautiful bill, and he’s sticking to it.”
Trump, speaking earlier in May, suggested the bill was essential to secure votes and momentum ahead of the next fiscal cycle:
“We need support. This is about getting it through the House and Senate. You can’t negotiate if you can’t pass anything.”
GOP divisions emerge
The bill passed the House largely along party lines in late May, but a few Republicans—most notably Sen. Rand Paul—oppose it. Paul criticized the bill for including a debt ceiling increase and called for sharper spending cuts.
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader John Thune attempted to strike a balance, saying he respects Musk’s concerns but emphasized the bill focuses on mandatory spending—not the discretionary areas Musk targeted at DOGE.
“We want to incorporate Elon’s savings in a separate rescissions bill,” Thune said, signaling future legislation may reflect Musk’s proposals.
What’s in the “big, beautiful bill”?
Details of the Trump-backed package include:
- Extension of 2017-era tax cuts
- Incentives for trade schools and workforce training
- Infrastructure and defense investments
- Budget caps to limit future discretionary spending
The White House says these provisions are meant to stimulate middle-class growth and counteract inflation, while critics—like Musk—see it as bloated government spending.
What happens next?
Trump and Musk are expected to hold a joint press conference later this month, a rare public appearance that could reveal whether reconciliation is possible—or if this rift signals deeper divisions heading into 2026.
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