Elon Musk has publicly criticized a key policy initiative from Donald Trump, creating a notable rift with the president he helped secure re-election in 2024.
The US House of Representatives narrowly approved Trump’s legislation last week, which the president describes as his “big, beautiful” bill. The package includes multi-trillion-dollar tax breaks and increased defense spending commitments before heading to the Senate.
In an interview with CBS News, Musk expressed disappointment with the plan, stating it “undermines” his cost-cutting efforts for the administration. The tech billionaire had served as Trump’s appointed efficiency leader, working to eliminate various government expenditures, including foreign aid programs, before recently announcing his intention to step back from the role.
“I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly,” Musk told CBS Sunday Morning in a preview clip released by the broadcaster. He argued that Trump’s legislation “increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it.”
The proposed legislation could potentially expand the federal deficit by approximately $600bn in the upcoming fiscal year. The deficit represents the gap between government spending and revenue collection.
Musk further criticized that the bill “undermines the work that the Doge team is doing,” referencing the Department of Government Efficiency, his advisory cost-cutting organization. Addressing Trump’s characterization of the legislation, Musk commented, “I think a bill can be big or beautiful. I don’t know if it can be both.”
This public disagreement underscores existing tensions within Trump’s Republican Party regarding the tax and spending proposals. The legislation faced challenging passage through the House due to opposition from various party factions.
The bill represents a longstanding Trump policy priority, extending tax cuts from his first presidency that are set to expire in 2017, while providing additional funding for defense and mass deportation initiatives. It also proposes raising the debt ceiling to $4tn, expanding the government’s borrowing capacity.
Musk’s criticism suggests increasing distance from Trump, whom he supported with over $250m in donations during the recent election campaign. These comments follow Musk’s recent decision to reduce his involvement with Doge, where he had aimed to eliminate $1tn in government spending through contract cancellations and workforce reductions.
According to Doge’s website, approximately $175bn has been saved as of April, though BBC analysis indicates this figure lacks comprehensive supporting evidence.
Musk also announced plans to significantly reduce future political spending and committed to leading Tesla for another five years. His role as Doge chief generated controversy, including protests, boycotts, and declining Tesla sales related to his efforts to eliminate federal jobs and reduce foreign aid.
Defending his actions, Musk stated, “I did what needed to be done.” Both he and Trump have previously justified these cuts as necessary measures to eliminate perceived fraud and waste in federal spending.
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