Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has ignited political controversy by calling former President Donald Trump’s proposed tax cut and spending bill a “repugnant and disgraceful act.”
Despite his past public support for Trump, Musk condemned the bill on his social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Apologies, but I can’t stay silent anymore. This is a massive, wasteful, and unacceptable congressional spending bill. It’s a repugnant act.”
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO warned that the bill would only worsen the federal deficit and jeopardize the nation’s economic future. “Those who voted for it should be ashamed. You know you’ve done wrong,” Musk added.
His remarks have sparked intense debate in Washington, particularly among fiscally conservative Republicans who are increasingly wary of the growing national debt.
Several GOP senators echoed Musk’s concerns, calling for revisions to the legislation. The bill, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” includes provisions to extend Trump-era tax cuts and increase funding for defense and border security.
According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the bill could add $3.8 trillion to the national debt, which currently stands at $36.2 trillion.
Although the House has already passed the bill by a narrow margin, the Senate—where Republicans hold the majority—is expected to take it up next month, with potential amendments on the table.
Senator Steve Daines, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, confirmed that GOP lawmakers plan to meet Trump at the White House on Wednesday to discuss making corporate tax cuts permanent—an initiative that experts warn could significantly inflate the bill’s cost.
Musk’s criticism marks a surprising turn, given his previous financial and public support for Trump during the 2024 presidential campaign.
