Elon Musk has openly criticised a key aspect of US President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda, signalling a significant rift in a previously strong partnership formed during last year’s election campaign. The billionaire, who contributed over USD 250 million to Trump’s campaign and served as a senior adviser to his administration, expressed disappointment regarding what Trump terms his “big beautiful bill,” which comprises tax cuts and stricter immigration enforcement.
In a CBS interview, Musk labelled the legislation a “massive spending bill” that threatens to inflate the federal deficit and undermines the efforts of his Department of Government Efficiency, also known as DOGE. Musk remarked, “A bill can be big or beautiful, but not necessarily both,” reflecting his scepticism about the legislation’s merits.
Trump defended his approach during remarks in the Oval Office, acknowledging mixed feelings about the bill’s particulars but emphasising the complex political negotiations involved in crafting it. He noted, “I’m not happy about certain aspects of it, but I’m thrilled by other aspects,” hinting at possible adjustments.
The contentious legislation has recently passed through the House and is currently being debated in the Senate. While discussing the bill, Trump suggested that revisions could still be made, stating, “We’re going to see what happens. It’s got a way to go.”
Musk’s critiques come as he distances himself from government roles to refocus on ventures like Tesla and SpaceX. He has also indicated a desire to curtail his political contributions, claiming, “I think I’ve done enough.” His experience in government has been somewhat sobering; he previously aimed for DOGE to realise USD 1 trillion in spending cuts but has fallen significantly short. Musk confided that he underestimated the challenges posed by federal bureaucracy, stating, “The federal bureaucracy situation is much worse than I realised. It’s an uphill battle trying to improve things in DC.”
The White House plans to propose rescissions aimed at solidifying some of DOGE’s suggested cuts. According to preliminary estimates from the Congressional Budget Office, Trump’s proposed tax changes could potentially increase federal deficits by USD 3.8 trillion over the next decade, whereas alterations to programs like Medicaid and food assistance could yield savings of just over USD 1 trillion during the same period.