Tech billionaire Elon Musk on Tuesday denounced President Donald Trump’s sweeping spending bill as a “disgusting abomination,” in a blistering attack just days after stepping down from a short-lived White House advisory role.
“This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination,” Musk posted on X, following the bill’s progress from the sidelines. “Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong.”
The sharp criticism marks a dramatic shift in tone from Musk, who last week left his post atop Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Although hailed by Trump as a reformer, Musk faced criticism over inflated cost-saving claims and unmet targets.
The $3 trillion proposal, dubbed Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” slashes funding for health and food aid while increasing defense and infrastructure outlays. Musk warned it would burden Americans “with crushingly unsustainable debt.”
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO has voiced concern before, but Tuesday’s remarks represent his harshest rebuke of Trump’s fiscal agenda. His exit reportedly followed frustrations over unmet White House promises, including a push to use Starlink for air traffic control and the failed NASA nomination of his ally Jared Isaacman.
Trump, so far, has withheld criticism. The White House, in a measured response, said Musk’s views were known and unchanged.
Musk’s fallout with the administration comes despite donating nearly $300 million to Trump’s 2024 campaign. Meanwhile, the House is set to pass a bill enshrining $9.4 billion of DOGE’s proposed cuts, mainly targeting public broadcasting and foreign aid.
Senate Democrats released a report on Tuesday alleging 130 instances of “unethical or potentially corrupt” actions by the Trump administration benefiting Musk, who has seen his wealth surge by $100 billion during Trump’s term.
DOGE, which Musk led for four months, claims to have saved $180 billion—a figure disputed by analysts and fact-checkers, falling far short of the promised $2 trillion in cuts.
Despite Musk’s departure, Trump insists the billionaire remains an informal ally, saying, “He’s really not leaving.”
