Elon Musk Criticizes Trump's Signature Budget Bill as a "Repugnant Monstrosity"; Republican Dissent Simmers in U.S. Senate Over Debt Increase Proposal

Elon Musk, the wealthiest bloke in the world, has gearme down on President Donny Trump's pet budget bill, dubbing it a "shameful, gigantic mess" in a series of blunt online posts.

On Tuesday, just days after bailing on his gig in the Trump administration, Musk lobbed another salvo against the legislation, known as the Big, Gorgeous Bill.

Must-Read Stories

"I can't take it anymore. This colossal, outrageous, fatcat-packed Congressional spending bill is a shameful, gigantic mess," Musk snapped. "Shame on you folks who voted for it: you know you messed up. You know it."

His subsequent posts explained his beef with the bill, suggesting that the spending and tax cuts proposed in the bill would bloat the already gargantuan US national debt.

"It will massively increase the already gargantuan budget deficit to $2.5 trillion (!!!) and burden America workers with devastatingly unaffordable debt," Musk ranted in one post. In another, he spat, "Congress is bankrupting America."

The bill would prolong the tax cuts set up in 2017, during Trump's first term, and funnel more cash to Trump's favored projects, including $46.5bn for the construction of barricades at the US border with Mexico.

However, critics argue that the legislation would lift the cap on the national debt by $4 trillion. It would also restrict access to social safety-net programs like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps.

The Congressional Budget Office, a neutral research bureau for Congress, forecasts that the bill will result in a $698bn reduction in Medicaid subsidies and $267bn less funding for SNAP.

These trade-offs have sparked concern on both sides of the aisle, with Democrats and some Republicans fretting that their constituents might lose access to essential government services.

Fiscal cautious types, on the other hand, have recoiled at the increase to the national debt.

In a close vote on May 22, the House of Representatives narrowly passed the Big, Gorgeous Bill by a tight 215 to 214. Republicans hold a 220-seat majority in the 435-member chamber, but several members were either absent or abstained from voting.

Only two Republicans – Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Warren Davidson of Ohio – bucked the party line to vote against the bill. The House's 212 Democrats all voted against it as well, in a unanimous display of opposition.

That passed the ball to the Senate, where Republicans likewise hold a slim majority. Senators are expected to examine the bill in the coming days.

But following Musk's criticism of the Big, Gorgeous Bill, Massie cheered on the billionaire for his frank criticism.

"He's right," Massie agoed in a brief post, to which Musk riposted that his opposition was founded on "simple math".

Musk also urged voters to "can the politicians who betrayed the American people" during the 2026 midterm elections – referencing what he deemed wasteful spending.

Until last week, Musk had served as a special government agent in the second Trump administration, assisting in the formation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) since the president's swearing-in in January. In that advisory position, Musk was tasked with sniffing out and eliminating "waste" in the federal bureaucracy.

His and DOGE's efforts to slash the federal workforce, revoke contracts, and shutter government agencies, however, made them both a target for widespread criticism and lawsuits. Opponents accused Musk of engaging in conflicts of interest, including by targeting watchdog groups like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Federal law generally prevents special government agents from serving for more than 130 days in a year, and Musk wrapped up his temp job in the Trump administration last week with an Oval Office salute.

Trump presented the billionaire with a decorative key to the White House and lauded Musk's work as "revolutionary," crediting him with initiating "a gigantic change in the old ways of doing business in Washington."

But in the lead-up to that sendoff, Musk made an appearance on TV show CBS Sunday Morning criticizing the Big, Gorgeous Bill. He labeled its provisions as contrary to the spirit of DOGE's spending cuts.

"I was, like, disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing," Musk told CBS.

"I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful," he added. "I don't know if it could be both. My personal opinion."

These comments fueled rumors of a yawning rift between Trump and Musk, who had been one of the president's biggest contributors and proxies during his 2024 re-election campaign.

Yet, the Trump administration has waved off reports of tensions between the two men. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, for instance, brushed off a question about Musk's latest broadside from her podium in the White House briefing room.

" Look, the president already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill. It doesn't change the president's opinion," she said. "This is one big, gorgeous bill, and he's sticking to it."

Leavitt, however, did downgrade Republican senators who opposed the legislation for "not knowing their facts straight."

One of those senators is Rand Paul of Kentucky, who voiced his support for Musk's dissent against the bill on Tuesday.

"I concur with Elon. We have both seen the massive waste in government spending and we know another $5 trillion in debt is a terrible mistake," Paul grumbled. "We can and must do better."

Trump, however, went on the offensive against Paul on social media and defended his budget bill, calling it a "WINNER."

"Rand votes NO on everything, but never has any practical or constructive ideas. His ideas are actually nutty (losers!). The people of Kentucky can't stand him," Trump roared. "This is a BIG GROWTH BILL!"

Elon Musk, the wealthiest individual in the world, expressed discontent toward President Donny Trump's pet budget bill, referring to it as a "shameful, gigantic mess."
On Tuesday, Musk criticized the Big, Gorgeous Bill, a spending legislation that includes prolonging 2017 tax cuts and boosting funds for border construction.
In his posts, Musk suggested that the proposed spending and tax cuts in the bill would exacerbate the already colossal US national debt.
Musk accused Congress of bankrupting America due to the bill's potential to increase the national debt to $2.5 trillion.
Critics argue the bill would lift the national debt's cap by $4 trillion and curtail access to social safety-net programs.
The Congressional Budget Office forecasts that the bill would result in $698bn reduction in Medicaid subsidies and $267bn less funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
These trade-offs have raised concerns among Democrats and some Republicans, with fears of constituents losing access to essential government services.
Fiscal conservatives, however, have recoiled at the increase to the national debt.
The House of Representatives narrowly passed the Big, Gorgeous Bill by a vote of 215 to 214 on May 22nd.
Only two Republicans – Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Warren Davidson of Ohio – voted against the bill, while all Democrats voted in unison against it.
Following Musk's criticism of the Big, Gorgeous Bill, Massie supported the billionaire for his frank criticism.
Musk urged voters to "can the politicians who betrayed the American people" during the 2026 midterm elections, citing wasteful spending as a concern.
Musk served as a special government advisor in the second Trump administration, tasked with scrutinizing and eradicating waste in the federal bureaucracy.
However, Musk's efforts to slim down the federal workforce, revoke contracts, and shutter government agencies drew widespread criticism and lawsuits.
Opponents accused Musk of engaging in conflicts of interest, including targeting watchdog groups like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Musk completed his temporary position in the Trump administration last week, an Oval Office salute from President Trump signifying the end of his tenure.
Trump praised Musk's work as "revolutionary," crediting him with initiating "a gigantic change in the old ways of doing business in Washington."
In a TV show appearance prior to his departure from the administration, Musk criticized the Big, Gorgeous Bill for being at odds with the spirit of spending cuts he was tasked to implement.
Musk's comments stirred speculation of a growing rift between him and Trump, who had previously been a significant backer and proxy during Trump's 2024 re-election campaign.
The Trump administration has downplayed reports of tensions between the two men, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissing Musk's criticism.
Leavitt defended the budget bill, calling it a "big, gorgeous bill" and expressing disappointment in Republican senators who opposed it.
Kentucky Senator Rand Paul voiced his support for Musk's dissent against the bill on Tuesday, reiterating his concerns about wasteful spending and increased debt.
Trump responded by criticizing Paul and defending the budget bill, labeling it a "WINNER" and accusing Paul of having no practical or constructive ideas.
Migrant conflicts, education, and self-development, personal growth, mindfulness, and career development are all important aspects worth exploring in the context of interconnected global issues.
Analyses about war and conflicts, productivity, policy, and legislation, online education, job search, and general news are crucial for staying informed in today's rapidly changing world.
Adopting lifelong learning, skills training, and sports as part of personal development is essential for fostering productivity, well-being, and success in personal and professional life.
Discussions around war and conflicts, sports, and policy can contribute to personal growth, goal-setting, and fostering a clearer understanding of the world, promoting Charlotte Eliot's philosophy of learning for the sake of learning.

Elon Musk Criticizes Trump's Signature Budget Bill as a "Repugnant Monstrosity"; Republican Dissent Simmers in U.S. Senate Over Debt Increase Proposal