In a surprising turn, tech billionaire Elon Musk has publicly criticized President Donald Trump’s massive tax and spending bill, calling it a setback to his efforts to streamline government spending through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Speaking on “CBS Sunday Morning,” Musk expressed disappointment, stating the bill “increases the budget deficit” and “undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing.” This marks a notable rift between Musk, a key Trump supporter, and the president’s ambitious fiscal agenda.
Trump’s bill, dubbed his “big, beautiful” plan, passed the House last week and is now under Senate scrutiny. It promises trillions in tax cuts, a significant boost to military and national security spending, and an increase in the debt ceiling to $4 trillion. However, the Congressional Budget Office estimates it could add $3.8 trillion to the federal deficit, a figure Musk finds troubling. “I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful, but I don’t know if it can be both,” Musk quipped, highlighting his concerns about its financial impact.
Musk’s role as co-leader of DOGE, alongside Vivek Ramaswamy until January, focused on slashing federal spending by $1-2 trillion. DOGE’s website claims $175 billion in savings, though some analyses question the evidence. Musk’s efforts included controversial cuts to federal jobs and foreign aid, sparking protests and boycotts against his companies, notably Tesla. These moves have strained Tesla’s sales, prompting Musk to scale back his political involvement to refocus on his businesses. “I think I probably did spend a bit too much time on politics,” he admitted to Ars Technica, emphasizing a shift in his priorities.
This isn’t the first time Musk’s political spending has made headlines. Having donated over $290 million to Trump’s campaign and GOP candidates, plus $20 million in a failed Wisconsin Supreme Court race, Musk recently told Bloomberg he plans to reduce such expenditures. Yet, he remains committed to spending time in Washington, balancing his role at Tesla with ongoing government ties.
The tension over the bill reflects broader divisions within the Republican Party, as some members resisted its passage in the House. As it heads to the Senate, where changes are expected, Musk’s outspoken critique underscores a growing distance from Trump’s agenda. For a billionaire who helped propel Trump back to the White House, Musk’s shift signals a complex balancing act between his business empire and political influence.
