Billionaire Elon Musk has unleashed fierce criticism of former ally and U.S. President Donald Trump, denouncing his proposed federal spending bill as a “disgusting abomination” in a scathing post on X.
The public fallout comes just days after Musk formally stepped down as head of the White House’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a role he held for four turbulent months, during which he oversaw widespread cost-cutting across federal agencies.
“This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination,” Musk posted. “Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong.”
The proposed legislation — dubbed Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” — is expected to swell the national deficit by $3 trillion over the next decade, despite severe cuts to social programs like healthcare and food assistance. Musk, who once supported the plan in more measured terms, has now shifted to full-blown condemnation, saying the bill would saddle Americans with “crushingly unsustainable debt.”
The rupture marks a dramatic change in the previously close relationship between Trump and Musk. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO donated nearly $300 million to Trump’s campaign and was frequently seen traveling with him on Air Force One and Marine One. Trump had described Musk’s cost-cutting efforts as “incredible service,” and had even suggested Musk was “not really leaving” the administration.
However, frustrations appear to have been simmering. The DOGE task force — staffed by a youthful cohort of tech insiders — had aimed to save $2 trillion, but only managed to cut what the agency claimed was $175 billion, a figure widely disputed. Independent watchdogs estimate the actual savings at less than $16 billion.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the president’s position in a swift response: “This is one big, beautiful bill, and he’s sticking to it.”
Musk now faces pressure from Tesla shareholders to return his focus to the struggling electric vehicle maker, which has seen a drop in sales amid protests and market volatility. Meanwhile, SpaceX is reeling from multiple rocket launch failures in recent months.
What you should know
Elon Musk has turned sharply against Donald Trump’s proposed spending bill, branding it a “disgusting abomination” just days after leaving his role in the administration. Their once-close alliance has fractured as Musk distances himself from a plan he says will deepen the US debt crisis.
