Elon Musk has initiated his first public clash with US president Donald Trump following his sudden departure from the government last week.On X, he criticised Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ stating, “This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong.“
The White House, however, appeared unperturbed by his remarks, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that Musk’s position hasn’t altered the president’s stance. “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 is sticking to it,” Leavitt informed reporters.Subsequently, Musk posted that the bill would “massively increase the already gigantic budget deficit to $2.5 trillion” whilst asserting that “Congress is making America bankrupt.”Musk has previously voiced opposition to the bill.As the former head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk stated, “I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing.”“I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful but I don’t know if it can be both. My personal opinion,” he further remarked.During a CBS News interview, Musk, despite his proximity to the President, expressed his continuing disagreement on this matter.The bill faces widespread criticism, with Republican fiscal conservatives warning about national bankruptcy, whilst independent analysts suggest a deficit increase of up to $4 trillion over ten years.The White House Council of Economic Advisers has presented optimistic forecasts, diverging from mainstream predictions, suggesting growth potential of up to 5.2 percent.Leavitt asserted the bill “does not add to the deficit,” claiming $1.6 trillion in spending reductions.At a Friday press conference, Trump commended the legislation as “an unbelievable bill” that “cuts your deficits”, whilst expressing preference for “a bigger cut in taxes”. Musk, present at the event, remained silent on the matter.
