Elon Musk calls Trump agenda bill 'disgusting abomination' days after White House send-off

"Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong," the Tesla CEO wrote, citing projections that the legislation would add more than $2 trillion to the national debt.

Elon Musk issued a blistering criticism of the massive Republican bill for President Donald Trump’s agenda Tuesday, posting on X that it is a "disgusting abomination."

"I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore," Musk wrote. "This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it."

"It will massively increase the already gigantic budget deficit to $2.5 trillion (!!!) and burden American citizens with crushingly unsustainable debt," added Musk, who left the White House last week.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has said the package would increase the deficit by $2.3 trillion with its tax cuts and spending hikes on immigration enforcement in the military outstripping the savings.

Musk, a top Republican donor during the 2024 elections, doubled down later in the day, posting on X: “In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people.”

A source familiar with the Musk-Trump relationship told NBC News that four issues, which Axios was first to report, were likely behind Musk's frustration on social media.

The source highlighted the absence of electric vehicle tax credits from the bill, which would benefit Musk's Tesla customers as one factor, and noted how Musk had been pushing for the Federal Aviation Administration to use his Starlink satellite system in their FAA control systems.

The source also pointed to personnel issues, noting that a nomination for Musk ally Jared Isaacman to serve as NASA administrator had been pulled over the weekend and that Musk himself had hoped to stay on in his special government employee capacity beyond the 130-day period, which the White House ultimately did not accommodate.

Musk, the CEO of Tesla, had previously signaled his disappointment in the legislation, telling CBS News he believed it was a “massive spending bill” that “undermines” the work of his Department of Government Efficiency operation.

The remarks came as an unwelcome surprise to Republicans on Tuesday as the Senate considers changes to the version passed by the House while seeking to placate competing factions internally, including those that want to reduce the red ink.

“We obviously respect everything that Elon did with DOGE. On this particular issue, we have a difference of opinion,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters. “He’s entitled to that opinion, but we’re going to proceed full speed ahead.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said it was “a dangerous thing” for Musk to be “meddling with” the economy, noting that a debt limit hike to avert a default was part of the bill.

"This is the key to the economic resurgence of America. It’s going to be jet fuel for the economy. And the sooner we do it, the better," Johnson told reporters. "And by the way, the debt ceiling is also revved into this legislation. That is a dangerous thing for Elon or anyone who has who cares about the U.S. economy to be meddling with. And I think the risk is very great.”

Musk's comments emboldened fiscal hawks like Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., two rare Republicans who have voted against the measure consistently.

Some GOP senators who have supported the measure conceded that there was at least some validity to Musk's view.

“I think he has a point,” Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said, adding that Musk wasn’t giving enough credit to the “growth” that the tax cuts would bring. “I like Elon Musk, but he’s one man.”

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, told NBC News: “The Senate should make the bill substantially better, and I hope and believe we will do that. There’s no doubt we need to reduce spending more.”

Other Republicans dismissed Musk’s criticism.

“I ain’t got any thoughts on that. We got a lot of work to do,” Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala. “He doesn’t get to vote.”

The White House is seeking to codify $9.4 billion in cuts proposed by DOGE, the advisory entity Musk helmed in the initial months of Trump's second administration.

Asked Tuesday at a news briefing about Musk’s initial post, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: “Look, the president already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill. It doesn’t change the president’s opinion. This is one big, beautiful bill, and he’s sticking to it.”

The White House declined to offer additional comment.

Democrats, meanwhile, welcomed Musk’s criticism.

“I agree with Elon Musk,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., calling his own words “something I didn’t think was imaginable” for him to say.

Still, some doubted his intentions.

“A broken clock is right twice a day,” Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., joked, while doubting that Musk’s criticism was about sincere concern for deficits. “I don’t think there’s an ounce of sincerity in Elon Musk’s interest in trying to reduce red ink,” Murphy said. “I think DOGE was a very transparent play to increase his profile and to help his businesses.”

The bill, as it stands, would extend Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, eliminate taxes on tips and overtime work and boost funding for immigration enforcement and the military. It would also make cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and raise the debt ceiling by $4 trillion.

The House narrowly passed the broader package last month, but it still has several steps to clear before it reaches Trump’s desk. Any changes the Senate makes would have to go back through the House, where Republicans hold a small majority, before it can be signed into law.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., a close Trump ally who voted for the measure, expressed regret on X on Tuesday over a provision she said she didn’t know was included.

Musk criticized the bill just days after Trump gave him an official send-off from the Oval Office. His stint in Washington has been the subject of withering criticism, with many pointing out that Musk, the wealthiest person in the world, was able to achieve only a fraction of the $2 trillion in cuts he had set out to make.

They also hint at lingering tensions with the Trump administration — some of which made their way to the public through news reports about tense meetings and shouting matches. Musk previously took some of his grievances public, including criticism of Trump’s tariffs.

Meanwhile, Musk’s public profile has suffered — as did the perception of his most consumer-centric business, Tesla. Tesla shares are down about 13% this year as sales have flagged.